
Residents flock to malls, beaches on first day of Eid
Sharjah witnessed festive and joyous celebrations on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, as families gathered to enjoy the holiday programmes and entertainment activities organised by relevant authorities.
The events were marked by comprehensive organisation and high safety measures.
Children's faces lit up with joy as they joined their families at Al Majaz Waterfront's entertainment zones, particularly the play areas.
They participated in diverse activities, including inflatable games, ball pits, acrobatic performances, and supervised physical activities, creating an atmosphere of fun and excitement.
Celebrations began early in the morning, with public squares and parks attracting large crowds of residents exchanging Eid greetings and capturing memorable photos with their children. The Sharjah Municipality had adorned streets and squares with festive lighting and decorations, enhancing the Eid spirit.
Sharjah Police played a key role in managing traffic and securing gathering areas, ensuring a safe and seamless experience for visitors.
In Abu Dhabi, parks, beaches, and major shopping centres witnessed a remarkable influx of families, residents, and visitors on the first day of Eid Al Adha. Mohammed Al Sammani/Dar Al Khaleej
In Abu Dhabi, parks, beaches, and major shopping centres witnessed a remarkable influx of families, residents, and visitors on the first day of Eid Al Adha.
Main streets, bridges, and public spaces were adorned, while entertainment venues, beaches, and cultural heritage activities were prepared for the occasion. Many families preferred indoor activities due to the high temperatures, while others opted to spend the first day of Eid at beaches, enjoying the natural open-air environment.
Qasr Al Watan welcomed visitors, blending heritage with diverse entertainment activities.
Its courtyards hosted a majestic equestrian show.
As evening fell, the palace's exterior transformed into an artistic masterpiece with a captivating sound and light show.
Fireworks displays were held at multiple locations.
Shopping centres organised entertainment contests, offering gifts, prizes, and special promotions.
The capital's beaches attracted thousands of visitors. Shopping centres' gaming areas and children's zones also saw high turnout.
Meanwhile, Dubai's parks and beaches welcomed thousands of visitors. From the early morning hours, families flocked to public parks in a festive scene reflecting the spirit of Eid and the joy of gatherings. Zabeel Park and Al Safa Park were among the most popular destinations, where children enjoyed playgrounds and dedicated activity areas, while adults relaxed amidst nature and expansive green spaces. Creek Park and Mushrif Park also saw large crowds of barbecue enthusiasts and families enjoying picnics, with activities and laughter filling the air.
Dubai's beaches were the preferred choice for youth and families seeking seaside fun and water activities. Jumeirah Beach and Kite Beach recorded the highest visitor numbers.
Many parks and beaches hosted celebratory events, including musical performances and children's programmes. The day culminated in spectacular fireworks displays, which lit up Dubai's sky at sunset, adding extra joy to the occasion.
Notably, authorities intensified efforts to ensure visitor comfort by enhancing security presence, managing traffic flow, and increasing cleaning operations to maintain the beauty and sustainability of these destinations. The beaches of Umm Al-Quwain and Ajman witnessed a significant influx of visitors from various nationalities.
The corniche, promenade, and Al Qurm Beach saw high turnout after the Municipality Department completed preparations, including lighting, comprehensive maintenance, and decorating roads and roundabouts. Al Qurm Beach also hosted various water sports, including surfing. The municipality deployed four lifeguards to handle drowning incidents and raise awareness among beachgoers.
It also designated several barbecue areas in parks, providing families with an ideal environment to enjoy grilling and the festive atmosphere.
Additionally, a monitoring plan was implemented for food establishments. Festive celebrations were held at Umm Al-Quwain Mall.
Many families in Ajman visited Marina and the Heritage Area, while others headed to public parks.
Shopping centres and local markets experienced brisk commercial activity, as visitors took advantage of special Eid promotions. The Municipality and Planning Department adorned the emirate's streets, parks, squares, bridges, and the areas of Masfout and Al Manama with 1,050 designs featuring congratulatory messages and illuminated panels reflecting the public's Eid joy.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
From Ka'ek to sheer khorma: How UAE expats keep homeland's Eid traditions alive
As Eid Al Adha draws to a close, Muslims all over the world celebrated the occasion with lavish feasts, dressing up in cultural clothes, and using the holidays to reconnect with family. For UAE expats, the celebrations are a special mix of traditions back home combining with Eid rituals in the Emirates. Sabiha A, a Dubai-based Indian expat, said in UAE, "everyone is united in the feeling of trying to find home." "Strangers become friends, and friends become family; we pray, cook food for each other, eat, and travel, and most of all we celebrate Eid together." After fajr, everyone "rushes to take showers, iron clothes, and match jewellery with traditional outfits," she said, describing it as a situation with "chaotic fun." Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The lunch is the highlight of the day with "mutton biryani, chicken fry, complemented by sweets from gulab jamun to sheer korma," she added. A.M.P, (name withheld on request), converted to Islam in 2010, a year after moving to UAE. The Filipina expat said she observes a fast on the Day of Arafah. Back in her hometown, the Muslim community comes together to contribute towards buying a cow for the Qurbani. In UAE, A.M.P and her husband spent this Eid hosting dinner for relatives and friends. For Maria Raza, a Sharjah-based Pakistani expat from Karachi, no matter the place, Eid is "always about lots of good food, spending time with loved ones, and giving back to the community." However, while Eid in Pakistan is "much livelier—almost chaotic in the best way", the celebrations in UAE is "much calmer; it feels more like a peaceful break from your day-to-day which also nice in its own way," she added. Maria's family keeps the Pakistani customs alive even in UAE; the "night before Eid is all about preparation," she added. Relatives gather as they prepare for Eid breakfast (nashta), apply henna (mehndi) and make meetha (sweet dishes) like suji ka halwa, siwaiyan, or sheer khorma, she said. After the day starts with the Eid prayer, the Dubai-based resident dresses up in new clothes, applies attar (an essential oil), and greets family with Eid wishes. "After that, the day slows down a bit—sometimes we take a nap before breakfast. Then we get ready again in the afternoon to either visit relatives and friends or host them at home" Maria added. Some expats recalled the traditions they have seen in their homeland, unique to a particular area. Suwarti B, a 43-year-old Indonesian expat remembered a ritual, called Manten Sapi, which she saw in her mother's hometown, a 5-hour drive from Semarang. The community "pays respect towards the animals that will be sacrificed. The cow is dressed as a bride and it's wrapped in a seven-fold garland. Then it's wrapped in a shroud, turban, and prayer mat," she said. "Once all the cows are dressed, they are brought to the local mosque and handed over to the sacrificial committee. Then the meat is handled and consumed together," Suwarti added. For Jana A, a Palestinian expat in Dubai, Eid this year was bleak, as the family found it impossible to go about celebrations after seeing images of death and destruction in their homeland. "In our traditions, the house of a deceased person only serves black coffee without Ka'ek (shortbread biscuit filled with date paste) or sweets. The family also doesn't leave their house, visit others or display any festivities. While, thankfully, we did not lose any of our direct family members in the war, we are mourning the loss of our beloved people," she said. However, the Dubai resident fondly remembered how the family, prior to the war, used to follow Palestinian traditions even in UAE, with the festivities starting the night before. "The women in my family and some family friends gathered and prepared the Ka'ek. My mom would always be in charge of kneading the dough, I with preparing the date paste, my sister with managing the oven, and everyone else doing everything in between." After the meal prep was over, the family would rest before waking up for Eid prayer, led by her father at home, Jana said. The next day, the men in the family would "buy the Udhiya (probably a goat or a sheep), slaughter it and distribute the meat to the needy." However, some remains of the Udhiya can not be distributed, called 'Al-Mo'laq' (the internal organs of the livestock). "My mom would fry it with some vegetables and chili and that would be our breakfast. We then spend the day visiting people or receiving people at our home," she added. While these celebrations aren't too different from ones in Palestine, the "village tends to be more lively during Eid, with children playing outside and people walking over to each other's houses," she added. Yasmin H, an Egyptian expat in Dubai, said she resorts to cooking Eid meals from Egypt to "get a sense of home." "In Egypt, people play Um Kalthoum's famous song "Night of Eid" and women prepare for a long holiday of cooking, where they show off their skills." To recreate memories of Eid in Egypt, Yasmin said she prepares Fattah, a famous dish made with rice, tomato paste, and meat.


Gulf Today
7 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Residents flock to malls, beaches on first day of Eid
Sharjah witnessed festive and joyous celebrations on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, as families gathered to enjoy the holiday programmes and entertainment activities organised by relevant authorities. The events were marked by comprehensive organisation and high safety measures. Children's faces lit up with joy as they joined their families at Al Majaz Waterfront's entertainment zones, particularly the play areas. They participated in diverse activities, including inflatable games, ball pits, acrobatic performances, and supervised physical activities, creating an atmosphere of fun and excitement. Celebrations began early in the morning, with public squares and parks attracting large crowds of residents exchanging Eid greetings and capturing memorable photos with their children. The Sharjah Municipality had adorned streets and squares with festive lighting and decorations, enhancing the Eid spirit. Sharjah Police played a key role in managing traffic and securing gathering areas, ensuring a safe and seamless experience for visitors. In Abu Dhabi, parks, beaches, and major shopping centres witnessed a remarkable influx of families, residents, and visitors on the first day of Eid Al Adha. Mohammed Al Sammani/Dar Al Khaleej In Abu Dhabi, parks, beaches, and major shopping centres witnessed a remarkable influx of families, residents, and visitors on the first day of Eid Al Adha. Main streets, bridges, and public spaces were adorned, while entertainment venues, beaches, and cultural heritage activities were prepared for the occasion. Many families preferred indoor activities due to the high temperatures, while others opted to spend the first day of Eid at beaches, enjoying the natural open-air environment. Qasr Al Watan welcomed visitors, blending heritage with diverse entertainment activities. Its courtyards hosted a majestic equestrian show. As evening fell, the palace's exterior transformed into an artistic masterpiece with a captivating sound and light show. Fireworks displays were held at multiple locations. Shopping centres organised entertainment contests, offering gifts, prizes, and special promotions. The capital's beaches attracted thousands of visitors. Shopping centres' gaming areas and children's zones also saw high turnout. Meanwhile, Dubai's parks and beaches welcomed thousands of visitors. From the early morning hours, families flocked to public parks in a festive scene reflecting the spirit of Eid and the joy of gatherings. Zabeel Park and Al Safa Park were among the most popular destinations, where children enjoyed playgrounds and dedicated activity areas, while adults relaxed amidst nature and expansive green spaces. Creek Park and Mushrif Park also saw large crowds of barbecue enthusiasts and families enjoying picnics, with activities and laughter filling the air. Dubai's beaches were the preferred choice for youth and families seeking seaside fun and water activities. Jumeirah Beach and Kite Beach recorded the highest visitor numbers. Many parks and beaches hosted celebratory events, including musical performances and children's programmes. The day culminated in spectacular fireworks displays, which lit up Dubai's sky at sunset, adding extra joy to the occasion. Notably, authorities intensified efforts to ensure visitor comfort by enhancing security presence, managing traffic flow, and increasing cleaning operations to maintain the beauty and sustainability of these destinations. The beaches of Umm Al-Quwain and Ajman witnessed a significant influx of visitors from various nationalities. The corniche, promenade, and Al Qurm Beach saw high turnout after the Municipality Department completed preparations, including lighting, comprehensive maintenance, and decorating roads and roundabouts. Al Qurm Beach also hosted various water sports, including surfing. The municipality deployed four lifeguards to handle drowning incidents and raise awareness among beachgoers. It also designated several barbecue areas in parks, providing families with an ideal environment to enjoy grilling and the festive atmosphere. Additionally, a monitoring plan was implemented for food establishments. Festive celebrations were held at Umm Al-Quwain Mall. Many families in Ajman visited Marina and the Heritage Area, while others headed to public parks. Shopping centres and local markets experienced brisk commercial activity, as visitors took advantage of special Eid promotions. The Municipality and Planning Department adorned the emirate's streets, parks, squares, bridges, and the areas of Masfout and Al Manama with 1,050 designs featuring congratulatory messages and illuminated panels reflecting the public's Eid joy.


Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sheikh Hamdan rides abra on Eid Al Adha weekend
It's not every day that you see a member of the Dubai royal family aboard a public transport. As the city continues to celebrate the Eid Al Adha long weekend, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum surprised followers by taking a ride on an abra and sharing a glimpse of it with his followers on social media. Sheikh Hamdan, popularly known as Fazza, posted a video of his abra ride on his Instagram story, much to the delight of his 17 million followers. He seemed to be traveling across the Dubai creek to the Al Seef market in the abra, one of the oldest forms of transport in the city. He also shared visuals of spices and traditional food items being sold at the market in old Dubai. The Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE often regales his followers on social media with snapshots from his life. He has been sharing snippets from his Eid Al Adha celebrations with his family, especially his kids. Watch the video here: In one heartwarming post, Sheikh Hamdan is seen with his youngest child, daughter Hind, who was born on March 22 this year. The Crown Prince is actively involved in Dubai's public transport initiatives, including expanding the Dubai Tram, promoting sustainable transport, and developing new infrastructure like flying taxis. The fourth generation of traditional abras were unveiled in February this year by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in a move that aims to upgrade the city's marine transport network.