The Greater Eid

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Eid Al Adha, is an auspicious occasion that takes place one day after Hajj is conducted, lasting for three days depending on the nation. The 27th November to 29th November 2009 marked Eid Al Adha in the Emirates. This festival is officially celebrated for the reason that when Muslims descended from Mount Arafat, also marking the end of Hajj at Mecca in Saudi. This ‘Greater Eid’ can be said to be an extension of the holy month of Ramadan.

Mrs. Qamar Rahab and her family have been residing in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates for 22 years. Each year, the Rahab family spends Eid with fervent zeal and vigour as it a festival of sacrifice and celebration.

‘Eid celebration is simply wonderful. The preparations, the prayers and the unity as a family makes us spend quality time together. Our celebrations are grand every year. We call guests and everyone dresses in their finest clothes. We also offer our prayers and then we invite and visit family and friends,’ said Mrs. Qamar Rahab.

It is a tradition during Eid that there is an exchange of greetings and gifts. Another ritual followed by the Muslims, is that they come together and remember Abraham's trials and thus with their own hands have to slaughter an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat as a sacrifice, thus the derivation of the name- ‘The Festival of Sacrifice’. Often this action is misinterpreted by those outside the faith. The sacrifice can be seen as a prayer where the animal being sacrificed is given to the poor as charity. Normally a part of that meat is also kept by the family. Although this isn’t an ordinary ritual either as certain verses are also recited during the procedure.

“It is a joyous occasion for us, as it is a time where we come together as a family. My in-laws and my parents have come from India to celebrate Eid. We unite during the special prayers. As a working mother, this time of year is indeed very special to me.” said Mrs. Qamar Rahab.

Charity is given a lot of relevance and Takhbir is said out aloud on the first day of Eid before the prayer as well as on the remaining four days after prayers. ‘Eid al adha, is a period of holiness, where we are again reminded of our religious values, since the holy month of Ramadan,’ said Mrs. Rahab's Husband, Mr. Aleem Rahab.


"I treat Eid Al Adha as a fresh start to the new year. I wash away my sins and begin life- ‘fresh’’," added Mr. Rahab.


Biryani, is the traditional food that is specially prepared by families during this auspicious festival


While Qamar’s children, Khashish Rahab and Rita Rahab who are aged 10 and 18 years old respectively, have their own perspectives to Eid. For little Khashish, ‘Eid is a chance for all of us to spend family time and ofcourse there are gifts and tasty food.’ she said, as she trailed behind her mother.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani

Expatriates Rejoice on National Day

Streets and landmarks all over the Emirates have been bedecked with colourful bulbs and UAE National flags as part of the arrangement made for celebrating the 38th National Day on 2nd December 2009. Cars decorated with national flags and images of the Rulers were a common sight on the Emirati streets.



The UAE National Flag held high

National Day instils patriotic sentiments among Emiratis as well to a majority of expatriates who feel no differently as they have lived here and have come to call this country their second home.

United Arab Emirates, known to be a melting pot of diversity and culture as it serves to more than 200 nationalities of diverse cultural backgrounds, residing harmoniously together.

Haque Esaham, residing in the UAE for the last 33 years has witnessed the Emirate evolve into the Emirate it is today.

“I have been living in the UAE for the last 33 years and I have never failed to see the patriotic feeling- a patriotic gene that National day brings to everyone. This auspicious day gives us a prestigious and nationalistic feeling. Every country celebrates its national day, but I think UAE takes it a step further, as it has a big image to live up to,” said Mr. Haque Esaham, a Insurance Manager from Bangladesh.

“By celebrating National we have come to realize how UAE has grown as a country and how we have grown with it,” added the 56 year old.

Apart from the peoples party on the Corniche with chanting, singing, dancing and of course engine revving and car horning, all the Emirates prepared for quite a few treats for the celebration of the UAE National Day. From extravagant shows to simpleton parks or picnics at the beach, local and expatriate families celebrated this special day unlike any other.

Usama Sayed spends time with his family and relatives on this joyous occasion

Usama Sayed, an Egyptian, who works as a Human Resource Manager, said “National day means a lot to me, it gives us a chance to unite, to spend quality time together with family, friends, relatives, acquaintances,”

“UAE has become a part of me, it holds great memories for me, my children were born in Dubai, the pleasant outings with my family such as these are things you remember for life and I am thankful for it,” reminisced Mr.Sayed, who has been residing in the UAE since 1997.


Mr. Ramzi and his two children, who love UAE as their very own

While Mr. Ramzi, 37 year old Jordanian shares a similar feeling, “I love UAE same as my country. I have been living in the Emirates for ten years now and it has offered me so much, that I am forever grateful. My two children were born and brought up here, even they treat UAE as their own,”

“UAE has given us, so many rights, treating us as equals, which I would not find in my own country, Palestine,” said Ms. Rima Khorshid, 19 year old Palestinian.

“Besides it being holidays, National day allows us to celebrate the day together, the locals want us to be part of the culture allowing us to be a part and participate on this special day,” she added.

Shakoufeh Khakipour is filled with enthusiasm on National Day

For Ms. Shakoufeh Khakipour, 21 year old Irani, “National Day is a day of joy and independence for UAE, it is not every day you get to see everyone come together to show their love for the country.”

It also gives us, Iranians a chance to show our love and respect for the country. It is also an opportunity for my family and friends to rejoice this special day with the Emiratis” said Ms. Khakipour.

Rawan Osama and her sister are filled with happiness as they celebrate National Day


While 8 year old, Ms. Rawan Osama from Sudan said “It is great to see the country so happy, that I feel so happy too. I was born here, so UAE is like my home as I have lived here my whole life,”
“There are lot of colours, shows and picnics for us and holidays for us to spend time together.” added little Rawan, frantically waving the National flag with her family.

2009 marks the 38th National Day for United Arab Emirates

National Day is traditionally celebrated every year, with more and more enthuse from the Emiratis as well as the expatriates. Expats have grown to love United Arab Emirates, as their own. For some expats, UAE is the only home they know while for others for Emirates could be a pedestal to their careers to even a holiday destination. All it matters is that expatriates slowly find themselves attached to the country, whether carrying good memories or bad.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani