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Al Etihad
3 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
From candies to cash: Eidiya a centuries-old tradition evolving with the times
6 June 2025 01:19 AYSHA SHAAYA (ABU DHABI)In the days leading up to Eid, banks across the UAE bustle with residents queuing to withdraw crisp new bills - all in preparation for Eidiya, the cherished tradition of gifting money to the young, it's often the most eagerly awaited part of the celebration, with many already making plans with friends on how to spend their treasures. Seven-year-old Shama has kept her cash gifts from the last Eid as she is saving up for a big purchase. 'This Eid, I want to give part of my Eidiya to people in need, and I will use the rest to buy a bicycle,' she told Aletihad . Ten-year-old Ghala said her favourite person every Eid is her mum because she gives her the most Eidiya. 'This time, I will use my Eidiya to buy video games.'Alya, aged 7, always carries a bag throughout the celebration. 'Without my bag, I cannot collect my Eidiya,' she said. Origins and Evolution of Eidiya The tradition is known by various names in different regions, but Eidiya is the most common - a word that comes from the Arabic word 'Eid', which means giving and custom is believed to date back centuries, originating during the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt, according to historians. At the time, the caliph established a tradition of celebrating Eid by distributing sweets, hosting lavish feasts, and offering money, gifts, and festive clothing to the Eidiya has evolved over time. Fifty-three-year-old Adel remembered receiving Dh1 and candies from neighbours as Eid gifts when he was a child.'In the early days, we would go around the neighbourhood collecting our Eidiya. This culture has become extreme nowadays, with some children demanding a higher sum of money. It also has to be given in an extravagant way, with envelopes or crafted cards,' he said. While Eidiya can come in the form of toys, candy, and clothes, the most common gift remains cash, often given in fancy envelopes. Unique Eidiyas have also emerged, with some giving away cryptocurrency, introducing the youth to the idea of long-term investments.
News18
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Alex O Nell Opens Up On Divorce With Sweta Keswani, Failed Relationship With Shama Sikander
Last Updated: The Kesari Chapter 2 actor spoken about his divorce from actress Sweta Keswani and his relationship with actress Shama Sikander. Alex O Nell has been winning hearts with his performance in Akshay Kumar's starrer Kesari Chapter 2. The film is loved by everyone and is a big hit at the box office. Well, apart from this, the actor has always grabbed attention for his personal life too. Recently, he candidly spoke about his divorce from actress Sweta Keswani and his relationship with actress Shama Sikander. In conversation with Vivek Lalwani, he said, 'You know we grew in different directions and Look, this is something that happened a very long time ago. I think Sweta and I divorced in 2011, so this is quite some time ago. But yeah, it was really a matter of wanting different things at different points in our life. She really wanted to explore being outside of India and I had fallen in love with India and I think that was more or less the foundation of why we found ourselves going in different directions quite literally. Her going west and me coming east more permanently. And look, I can't regret it. I'm thankful for the relationship. I'm thankful for all the things that uh that I learned in that relationship. It really made me grow as an individual. And I only hope that she also looks back fondly on the relationship and the things that we went through together." When asked it was just that she wanted to go west and you wanted to remain in the east? He replied, 'It's not even just that. It's a big thing. Look, if somebody has their heart set on not being in the place where they are, everything aligns in order to take them away from that place." Then again Vivek asks him, 'it was said that Shama Sikander intruded into the relationship and you got attracted towards her? 'Well, I think that that's more unfair to Shama than anyone else. The interesting thing is that Shama and Sweta knew each other anyway. But it was quite some time after Sweta and I had been separated that Shama and I started dating. But once again, Shama was a was an absolutely wonderful person to be with as well. And I don't regret that relationship either. I feel like we're focusing a lot on my relationships in the past, but suffice it to say that I truly am thankful for having had both of those women in my life. Unfortunately, neither of them are in my life now. But I think that's more out of respect to the fact that we've moved on in our lives. You know, both of them have married. Both of them have their own families now and I'm extremely happy for them and all that that they continue to to do. They have been very talented actresses. In fact, I myself am missing them right now on television and various other projects they can do and that's the reason the conversation has drifted there." Alex was last seen in Phule which was released on April 25, with certain changes recommended by the censor board. He portrayed the role of Ribbs Jones in the film. First Published:
