People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of S

Lebanon

Eid Al Fitr to begin on Thursday in Lebanon

The country will go into a two-day lockdown during Eid

Fatima Al Mahmoud
Fatima Al Mahmoud
Abu Dhabi

May 12, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Lebanon will welcome Eid Al Fitr on Thursday, May 13.

Eid was announced on Wednesday night after moon-sighting committees in the Arab world spotted the new moon with the naked eye, signaling the end of Ramadan.

Eid is a joyous time of the year that is often celebrated in Lebanon with decorations and delicacies like 'maamoul', or Lebanese shortbread stuffed with dates, pistachios, almonds or walnuts.

Worshippers gather all night to hold Eid prayers or Salat al Eid, as part of a religious ceremony.

This year, however, Eid prayers will be held at 30 per cent capacity in Lebanon’s mosques due to coronavirus restrictions.

The country will also enforce a nationwide lockdown for two days to avoid super spreader events and large gatherings.

The lockdown is the latest in a series of preventive measures aimed at curbing a Covid-19 outbreak, despite noticeable improvement in Lebanon's coronavirus numbers. It was also implemented throughout Easter 2021.

During lockdown, a 24-hour curfew will be in place starting 5 am on the first night of Eid and will last for two days. A permit will be required to go to places like supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and hospitals.

Malls, gyms, restaurants and cafes will be closed, but delivery services will remain operational. Lebanese authorities are also working with religious organisations to encourage safety measures.

Still, residents say Eid is special.

“It’s not the optimal celebration this year, but Eid will always make me happy with the wonderful energy it brings,” 19-year-old student Dina Hussein said.

  • The streets are deserted in downtown Beirut as Lebanon authorities impose a nationwide lockdown between April 3 and April 6, 2021. EPA
    The streets are deserted in downtown Beirut as Lebanon authorities impose a nationwide lockdown between April 3 and April 6, 2021. EPA
  • The lockdown and a 24-hour curfew will be effective until April 6. EPA
    The lockdown and a 24-hour curfew will be effective until April 6. EPA
  • The curfew, taking place during the Easter holiday, is aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 infections. EPA
    The curfew, taking place during the Easter holiday, is aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 infections. EPA
  • Lockdown comes as part of the country’s updated national lockdown measures amid worrying Covid-19 numbers. EPA
    Lockdown comes as part of the country’s updated national lockdown measures amid worrying Covid-19 numbers. EPA
  • On March 22 the country witnessed the highest number of admissions to intensive care units since the start of the pandemic. EPA
    On March 22 the country witnessed the highest number of admissions to intensive care units since the start of the pandemic. EPA
  • Lebanon will implement the same restrictions for Eid Al Fitr, as the country struggles to curb the coronavirus spread. EPA
    Lebanon will implement the same restrictions for Eid Al Fitr, as the country struggles to curb the coronavirus spread. EPA
  • Lockdown comes as the country faces its worst economic crisis. EPA
    Lockdown comes as the country faces its worst economic crisis. EPA
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What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

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