As the Shawwal crescent was sighted on April 20, 2023 evening in a number of countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from dawn of April 21, Eid Al Fitr celebration has already started although these nations began celebration immediately after official announcement last night.
Saudi King Salman hopes for stability in the region
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman hoped that Eid Al-Fitr will come with stability and security for our region and for the world.
King Salman has greeted Saudi citizens, residents and Muslims around the world on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, in a speech delivered by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary on Thursday.
“Praise be to Allah that honored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with serving the Two Holy Mosques to ensure the comfort of pilgrims, and visitors”, the King said.
“In order to fulfill this honorable responsibility, the Kingdom didn’t spare any effort since its establishment by King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman, and through the reign of his sons, the Kings after him and we are proud and honored to continue the mission. We will continue to do so”.
He added: “Among the blessings of Allah is that he made millions of pilgrims to preform Umrah during this month of Ramadan in ease and comfort”.
“One of the manifestations of Eid is to show joy, communication, tolerance, and attention to people in need. May Allah keep us happy and pleasant”.
Meanwhile, King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman sent cables of greetings to several Kings, heads of state, and leaders of Muslim countries on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr.
They wished that this auspicious occasion would bring about more progress and blessings to the Muslim world. The King and the Crown Prince also received several similar cables from the Muslim rulers and leaders.
Fireworks in Saudi Arabia on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr
The General Authority for Entertainment (GEA) has set the places where dazzling fireworks display will light up the skies of 13 cities in Saudi Arabia during the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.
The fireworks display which comes within the Eid Program activities 2023, is set to start at 9:00 p.m.
The cities and places are: In Riyadh at the Boulevard Riyadh City, and in Abha at the Al-Safa Park, while in Jeddah it will be at the walk of Jeddah Art Promenade. It will last for 3 days, including drones shows in the second and third days of Eid.
People in Al-Khobar will be able to enjoy the fireworks displays at the waterfront, while those in Hail can watch the shows in Al-Magwat recreational road for celebrations, and the residents of Al-Baha in Prince Hussam Park.
Several shows will be launched in Tabuk in the Tabuk Central Park, as for Arar, the fireworks will be in a public park in front of Al-Othaim Mall.
The fireworks display will be at Al-Nahda neighborhood in Najran, as for visitors in Madinah, they will be able to watch the performances in King Fahd Central Park, and in the city of Jazan, it will be in the northern Corniche walk.
GEA stated that the fireworks display will start at 9:45 p.m. in Skaka at Al-Azizia Park, and at 10:00 p.m., people in Buraidah will be able to watch the fireworks in King Abdullah National Park.
Diwan conveys Kuwaiti Amir’s greetings on Eid Al-Fitr
The Amiri Diwan is pleased to convey the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to all citizens and residents on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, wishing them all a happy occasion. The Amiri Diwan seizes this blessed occasion to voice congratulations and blessings to His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister on this occasion. It also wished it to be a happy festival for the nation and both Arab and Muslim worlds, and many happy returns of the occasion to the entire world, wishing the nation eternal security, peace and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Eid Al Fitr celebration in Abu Dhabi
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has completed the decoration of main and secondary streets, public squares, and bridges throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with illuminated shapes and decorative imageries in celebration of Eid Al Fitr.
The aim is to bring joy to the community and express happiness in welcoming this cherished occasion.
Municipal teams from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra regions worked on installing Eid Al Fitr decoration shapes as an additional adornment to Ramadan decorations, embodying the spiritual significance of Eid Al Fitr for the community.
The shapes feature a combination of geometric designs, stars, crescents, and congratulatory messages for Eid Al Fitr. A number of illuminated structures and formations were added specifically for Eid Al Fitr and installed on front lighting poles at every intersection of main and secondary roads. The decoration also covered major bridges and prominent infrastructure landmarks that define Abu Dhabi’s urban identity and cultural character.
The Eid decoration shapes include several greeting phrases that are well-known in the UAE society, such as “Eid Mubarak,” “May you have many happy returns,” and many more expressions that wish you a happy and blessed Eid.
Multiple colours were integrated into each decorative formation to give them a unique shine that distinguishes them from other occasions. Annual decoration works have become part of a well-established tradition in the UAE, associated with national and religious occasions, reflecting the identity and cultural and social heritage of the UAE community.
Decoration works are part of efforts to create an atmosphere of joy and happiness, which contributes to improving positivity and enhancing the quality of life in the Emirate’s society.
The Department of Municipality and Transport is making sure that the illuminated formations and structures used for the Eid Al Fitr decorations are of appropriate size and safe for road users, including both vehicles and pedestrians. The DMT is also ensuring that all decorations are of high quality, with good insulation and weather resistance, and made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
This effort is in line with the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, which aims to raise awareness about sustainability and encourage individuals, institutions, and businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. The DMT is focused on promoting sustainable practices in all of its initiatives, projects, and activities, including the decorations used to celebrate Eid Al Fitr in Abu Dhabi.
Qatari Amir exchanges Eid Al Fitr greetings with leaders of Arab and Islamic countries
His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani exchanged greetings with his brothers Their Majesties, Excellencies, and Highnesses leaders of the brotherly Arab and Islamic countries on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al Fitr, through cables and phone calls.
His Highness the Amir also received calls and cables of greetings on the occasion from a number of leaders of friendly countries.
His Highness the Amir received a cable from Speaker of the Shura Council HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanem, on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, which included his congratulations and the congratulations of the Shura members on this occasion.
How Qataris really celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr, which literally translates to ‘festival of breaking the fast’, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world.
It is considered an event of celebration and joy, with Muslims marking the occasion through prayers and supplication, and in Qatar, residents add an extra authentic touch to it.
Eid officially begins when the first sighting of the new moon is witnessed. Thousands of worshipers gather in mosques and prayer spaces around the world on the morning of Eid al-Fitr.
Considered a national holiday in Islamic countries, the celebration always takes place during the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, called ‘Shawwal‘.
During Eid, it is common for people to dress in new clothes as it is considered a sunnah (a tradition of Prophet Muhammed) to wear something new. Amongst other common practices carried out prior to Eid al-Fitr, Qatari women and men flock to Abaya and Thobe tailors to sew themselves a fresh set of traditional attire to flash for the occasion.
The prophetic teaching that cleanliness is half of the Islamic religion has also led to the widespread and popular practice of deep cleaning homes prior to Eid.
On a grandeur scale, the Gulf nation also puts on its Eid ensemble as twinkle lights, fireworks, Eid festivals, and Eid posters cover cities, fostering a festive environment for its majority-Muslim population.
In Qatar, it is common practice to spend the three designated days of Eid visiting family and friends. The old are usually given priority during the visits, especially on the first day of Eid, which reflects the highest form of respect for the elderly.
Muslims celebrate the holiday through a series of activities and corresponding traditions, rendering each community unique whilst simultaneously uniting more than two billion people around the world.
Some of the traditions observed during this Islamic event loosely include families congregating for the Salat al-Eid (which translates to Eid prayers) – arguably the most important ritual of the day. These are held shortly after the Fajr dawn prayer on the morning of Eid.
A breakfast feast is then prepared to gather all the members of the family for the first morning breakfast in a month.
The ‘dhabiha’, a traditional dish which simply means the Halal method of slaughtering an animal, is usually served at the lunch table in Qatari households.
Following an exhausting month of altered sleep due to late night prayers in Ramadan, as well as the early rise for the dawn Eid prayers, a nap is then typically due. The Eid nap provides ample energy for the next activities of the day, which including visiting senior members of the family in the evening.
In Qatar and other parts of the Arab world, a common Eid tradition in various cultures is the handing out of the Eidiyah, a gift in a financial form, given to children by older relatives or family friends.
Qatari women have a long-standing custom of decorating their hands and feet with beautiful and distinctive henna designs. Some say it is only after the henna is applied and jewellery is adorned does the Eid look for many women in Qatar come together.
As families venture out, some of the Eid greetings exchanged includes, ‘Eid Mubarak’ which means a blessed or happy Eid. Others also say ‘Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair’ which translates to ‘may every year find you in good health’.
