Thousands of worshippers gathered at mosques across the UAE on Wednesday to perform traditional prayers on the first morning of Eid Al Adha.
Friends, family and community members came together after sunrise to mark the start of one of the most significant periods in the Islamic calendar.
This year's festivities take place against the backdrop of conflict, with the region holding out hope that a path to peace can be secured after months of uncertainty caused by the Iran war.
Cherished occasion
Fayz Majid Latif, 48, from India, was among the worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Al Safa, Dubai.
He said the first day of the festival was a special occasion, uniting generations in celebration of their faith.
“The first day is the fun day of Eid. We come with family members to perform Eid prayers," he said. "We have to follow the tradition and pass it from one generation to another."
He attended the mosque, which is close to his home, with his son, brother-in-law and other family members. “I have lived in the UAE for 25 years. I make sure to pray first and then we go to have breakfast with family and friends," he said.
'A chance to reconnect'
Syrian resident Mohammed Hassan, 84, has been a regular visitor to Al Safa mosque for the past 15 years.
“I came with my wife and daughter. A visit to the mosque is always first on the agenda,” said Mr Hassan. “Usually, our family members gather for traditional breakfast. The youngest should go to greet the oldest relatives and exchange Eid wishes. It is a nice way to reconnect.”
Bilal Ahmad, 33, from Pakistan, performed prayers at the mosque with a group of friends and will later sit down for a customary Eid Al Adha meal.
"The best thing is having a family lunch or breakfast but my family is not here, so I have it with friends,” Mr Ahmad said. “I go to a different mosque every Eid. We are following in the footsteps of our prophet during Eid Al Adha. After resting we will go to mall or park to continue the celebration.
“It is nice to see everyone smiling and greeting each other with best wishes. I love having the Eid in the UAE.”
Eid Al Adha is the second of the two Eid holidays observed every year by millions of Muslims across the Arab world.
Its name translates to the Festival of the Sacrifice, as it commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command.
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Worshippers gather for Eid Al Adha prayers at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Al Safa, Dubai. All pictures by Antonie Robertson / The National -
Muslims exchange greetings -
Muslims unite in celebration of their faith for the first morning prayers of Eid Al Adha -
Worshippers flocked to mosques all over the Emirates to embrace the spirit of Eid Al Adha -
Morning prayers signal the start of the Eid Al Adha festival -
Muslims gather to mark the occasion -
Friends, family and community members unite
Eid Al Adha coincides with the end of the Hajj season, when pilgrims travel to Makkah to perform a series of rituals. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is typically a time for friends and family to reflect on their faith, come together for communal gatherings and dinners, and take part in charitable acts.
The UAE's leadership has sought to demonstrate the generous spirit of the holiday through a series of humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving lives.
President Sheikh Mohamed, along with Rulers of other emirates, ordered the release of thousands of prisoners and settled their financial obligations ahead of Eid Al Adha.
A Dh1.54 billion ($419.3 million) housing aid package for Emiratis in Abu Dhabi was also unveiled this week, while the UAE unveiled plans to waive Dh834 million in interest fees on bank loans taken out by more than 2,000 retired citizens on limited incomes.
