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Prayers, hugs and lively outings mark Eid Al Fitr Olivia Olarte-Ulherr and
 Nivriti Butalia / 9 August 2013 New clothes, henna on the palms of girls, good wishes exchanged all around, and a scrumptious feast with family and friends. Eid Al Fitr started early for the faithful who went out before 6am on Thursday for the prayer at Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and their local mosques across the UAE. Apart from those going for prayer, the roads were clear in the morning. But by 9am, families started piling in their cars and heading out for Al Ain and Dubai to celebrate this holy occasion with relatives and friends. Mall of the Emirates in Dubai was packed, with stores such as The Body Shop and Bath And Body Works offering Eid greetings. As crowded though as the malls were, not everyone was making rounds of shops. Take Younous Ali from Pakistan, who said in Abu Dhabi, “Last year, our parents came to spend Eid with us. It’s our turn this year to go to their house in Al Ain. We have to leave early to avoid the rush later and also to help with the preparation.” In Al Falah City in the Capital, Emirati houses woke up early to prepare their homes for their guests in the evening. In the kitchen, Umm Abdulla was already hard at work preparing some traditional Arabic sweets assisted by her two elder daughters. “My parents, sisters, brothers and their families are coming tonight. Some of them are travelling all the way from Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai to come to my house so I am preparing a special meal for us. We will have ouzi (roasted lamb) and camel salona (camel in tomato sauce with vegetable and local spices) for tonight,” Umm Abdulla said. For Tareq and his family in Abu Dhabi, Eid celebration this year will be different. “My daughters are keen to see Scooby-Doo musical and I promised to take them to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to see the show in the afternoon,” the Syrian national said. “I read that temperature will still be over 40 degrees Celsius today, it’s still too hot to go outdoors even in the evening so we’re not having our usual barbecue at the park. I also don’t want my wife to labour in the kitchen, so I’m taking them out to dinner in one of the Saadiyat Hotel’s restaurant,” Tareq shared. However, a few brave ones were undeterred by the soaring mercury, seeking shelter from the palm trees as they gather in groups at green patches across the city, taking pictures to commemorate this happy occasion. Others, meanwhile, sought refuge at the city malls, walking idly about, watching as shoppers rush for their last-minute purchases. By late afternoon, men and women in their best Eid clothes started arriving at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, carrying barbecue grills, pots and mats. “I am hoping to see fireworks tonight. This is my first Eid here and people said there are usually fireworks here and this is the best place to watch for them,” said Anil V. K. from India. Among the many commercial promotions on offer this Eid weekend, Emaar Retail LLC has advertised 24-hour movie screenings and activities at Dubai Ice Rink, for tourists and residents. KidZania®, the award-winning edutainment centre, is celebrating Eid Al Fitr till August 17, with a host of events including a fashion show, where the little ones can dress to impress to vie for a basket of goodies; an Eid Tent, featuring henna designers, and handicraft workshops, where children can create gifts such as jewellery, perfumes, and decorative knick-knacks, for their loved ones. The theatre in KidZania® will also showcase ‘Eid Screenings,’ starring Mansour, the animated local character. Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront was another spot where families and visitors jammed up for postcard photos, rides and games for children and a quiet and leisurely evening.— news@khaleejtimes. com Continue reading →