Latest news with #mosques
The National
4 days ago
- General
- The National
Eid Al Adha 2025: Worshippers gather across the UAE for prayers
Muslims in Abu Dhabi and Dubai mark the start of Eid Al Adha with show of faith at mosques
The National
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The National
How do Emiratis celebrate Eid Al Adha?
The Eid Al Adha holiday is a time of "family, faith, generosity and cultural pride", Emiratis told The National. The occasion has a special significance, with its name translating to the Festival of the Sacrifice, as it commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. To mark the occasion, Emirati families gather for hearty meals of freshly cooked lamb and the Arabic dish harees, while civic groups and mosques co-ordinate meat distributions to ensure nobody is left out of the celebration. The National talked to Emiratis to see how they were going to celebrate in the coming days. A treasured cultural and spiritual time "What sets Eid apart for me from other celebrations is there's a strong sense of spiritual renewal. It's a day of joy, giving, and connection. It is about strengthening family ties and honouring tradition, while also looking ahead with hope," said Sara Alhosani, an Emirati writer in Abu Dhabi. "A typical Eid day begins at dawn. I wake up early to get ready for the Eid prayer. There is something very special about those quiet early hours when the city feels calm yet full of anticipation. "After prayer, the real celebrations begin. The first stop is always my grandparents' home, where the entire extended family gathers. We greet one another warmly, exchange Eidiyah, which are small gifts of money for the younger children and sit down to enjoy a festive breakfast." Ms Alhosani also said that food is an essential part of Eid for her. She said that Thabeeha [the sacrifice made for Eid] is shared with family alongside traditional foods like harees and luqaimat. While celebrating Eid Al Adha is a long-held tradition for many, that doesn't mean it can't move on with the times, she added. "Some aspects of how we celebrate Eid are evolving. Social media has introduced a more modern flair. People love to share photos of their gatherings, outfits, and decorated homes," said Ms Alhosani. "You will also find more families incorporating trendy desserts or themed decorations alongside the traditional customs. But at its heart, Eid remains what it has always been: a time of family, faith, generosity, and cultural pride." Eid Al Adha coincides with the end of the Hajj season, when worshippers travel to Makkah to observe the Islamic pilgrimage. Making memories with family For Shahad Algergawi, an Emirati living in Dubai, Eid is best enjoyed by waking up early and having a breakfast with the whole family. "We have breakfast together and then we kick the day off by visiting my grandmother in Sharjah and possibly my aunt who lives in Ajman. My father is the eldest in the family, so afterwards, everyone would gather at our house," she said. "My mom makes kaak, which is amazing and it's so worth the calories." The first day of Eid Al Adha for Ms Algergawi is all about family, they all wake up early and gather for breakfast and then visits to family members would happen. "I'm personally a very family orientated person, so I love being around any of my siblings. You know, we recently moved houses and there's an entire wall of just family photos and we've left a really big space for this Eid's portrait," she said. "Just thinking about these little things makes me very happy. You know, there's always something to look forward to in Eid, but it's just a reminder of how important family is and am always grateful when Eid comes around and I can make more memories with the family." Keeping tradition alive "Our celebrations originated from religion. So it has some sort of spirituality within them. Like it's not something that we celebrate just to, you know, to celebrate. I feel like because it originates from spirituality, from religion, and because our customs in that day is passed on from our grandparents and so on. So it's really, really nice to keep that tradition going forward," said Khulood Rubay. "Our celebrations originate from our religion," said Khulood Rubay, from Dubai. "Our customs have been have been passed down from generation to generation so it's really nice to keep that tradition "I get really excited seeing the whole family together and catching up with them. The energy is different when the whole family gathers, young and elderly, its something different."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Austin mosques targeted by vandalism, CAIR-Austin says
The Brief Three mosques in Austin were reportedly vandalized CAIR-Austin said the incidents happened late on May 22 The Austin Diyanet Center, Nueces and IABA mosques were targeted AUSTIN, Texas - CAIR-Austin is calling for more security after three mosques were targeted by vandalism. The backstory The Austin chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Austin) is calling on the Austin Police Department to increase security patrols around Nueces Mosque, Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association (IABA), and other Austin mosques. This comes after the Austin Diyanet Center, Nueces, and IABA mosques were targeted by vandalism. CAIR-Austin said on May 22, around 11:30 p.m., Nueces Mosque leadership found spray-painted symbols, including the Stars of David, on the mosque's main entrance and other surrounding areas. Video shared by CAIR-Austin showed a white man with a covered face spray-painting the porch doors, the Imam's office door, and the fence. IABA's billboards and gate were also targeted. The Austin Diyanet Center's billboard and entrance door were vandalized as well. CAIR-Austin said Nueces Mosque has reported four hate incidents since late October 2024. What they're saying In a statement, Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager said: "These two incidents, which reportedly took place at the same night, were apparently targeted attacks meant to instill fear and division. One of the mosques affected, Nueces Mosque, serves as a vital spiritual and cultural center for UT Austin university students. The impact of such hateful acts on young minds cannot be overstated. We call upon APD to urgently heighten security and surveillance around all Islamic Centers in Austin. We also urge members of the public who may recognize the perpetrator or have any relevant information to come forward immediately and contact authorities." The Austin Police Department also released a statement: "The Austin Police Department is aware of several incidents of vandalism at local Austin mosques. We are actively investigating these incidents and are closely monitoring these and other locations around the City. As we continue to investigate, APD has set up directed patrols at all mosque locations. We strongly encourage our community to come forward and report any suspicious activity. Please follow the method of "See Something, Say Something." Should you observe any suspicious activities or become aware of potential threats, it is imperative you report them by calling 9-1-1. We all belong in this community. APD remains unwavering in its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive Austin community. Our ongoing efforts aim to ensure a community where every member feels safe, valued, and respected. The City of Austin's "We All Belong" campaign highlights our dedication to fostering a diverse culture where hatred is not tolerated. For more information on tools and resources to report hate crimes and related incidents, visit Big picture view CAIR says the Islamic Center of Southern California in Los Angeles was also vandalized earlier this month. The Source Information from CAIR-Austin and the Austin Police Department
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Live: Pakistan vows to respond as India launches attack on 9 sites
The Pakistani military says a response is under way, after missile strikes from Indian that Pakistan says killed at least 3 people and hit two mosques. India says the attack was aimed at 'terrorist infrastructure'.
