ABU DHABI // From burying meat deep underground to eating a Thanksgiving dinner, Emiratis will be celebrating Eid Al Adha this year in a variety of ways.
Jamila Al Ali’s family will be incorporating elements of her Emirati father’s and American mother’s culture in their celebrations. The first day of the holiday begins with a visit to Ms Al Ali’s uncle’s house after Eid prayers, where the family witnesses the slaughtering of sheep in his courtyard.
“I was 14 the first time I saw it and I couldn’t eat the meat afterward, but now I’ve seen it so many times I think I could do it myself,” said the 27-year old.
After the meat is divided up and distributed among the family, the local mosque’s imam and the needy, Ms Al Ali’s family returns home to dress in new clothes in preparation for the Eid gathering at her aunt’s house.
Rather than give her younger siblings, nieces and nephews the traditional gift of money handed to those who have not started earning for themselves, Ms Al Ali prepares a bag of sweets for each of them.
“I spent Dh500 on candy yesterday and still have to go to the bank to get the crisp new notes for the Eidiya (Eid gift),” she said.
The second day of Eid is when Ms Al Ali’s family mixes it up, when her mother prepares a traditional American Thanksgiving meal.
“We go all out and prepare a roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, mash and sweet potatoes, as well as a pumpkin pie,” she said.
On the third day, Ms Al Ali plans to take advantage of the cooling weather and organise a barbecue at the beach.
Having started performing the sacrifice himself last year, Saif Al Memari said he can now, with a little help, slaughter and prepare the meat of three sheep or goats in less than 90 minutes.
Mr Al Memari returns to his native Al Ain every Eid to spend the holiday with family.
In an eventful morning for the first day, he will perform Eid prayers shortly after 6.30am, have his first breakfast with his immediate family about 7am then greet his extended family at his majlis before he begins slaughtering at 7.30am, visit the barber and change into his new clothes at 9.30am, prepare the Tanoor at 11am and then visit his uncle’s majlis for his second breakfast before noon.
“The Tanoor is the Eid special, where we wrap marinated meat in palm leaves and bury them on top of coals in an oil drum underground,” said the 26-year-old.
Taking a full day to slow-cook underground makes the meat, which is ready on the second day of Eid, delicious, said Mr Al Memari.
Following the Sunnah, teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, Mr Al Memari said his family will split the meat into equal thirds between the poor, the family, and friends and relatives.
“This year I have invited friends from Brazil, Serbia, Egypt, Jordan and America coming to experience the Tanoor and Emirati culture,” he said.
Mariam Al Kuwaiti agreed that the Tanoor was the highlight of Eid Al Adha.
“I’m the family photographer so I will be documenting the whole Eid so I can share it with all the family,” said the 19-year-old from Al Ain.
“You get to see people you don’t see every day and the atmosphere makes everything special,” she said.
Expatriates were also out in force enjoying the long break from work. Kumar Raman, from India, was with his family at a park in the capital.
“I got four days off from work this year,” said Mr Raman, an engineer. “We visited Emirates National Auto Museum this morning, and tomorrow we are going to Dubai to visit the Butterfly Garden.”
He said he looks forward to the holiday, because it allows him to spend more time with his wife and two small children.
“The Eid holidays are useful, because they allow my children to enjoy themselves and the outdoors.”
Sanah Oumara said she was very grateful to be celebrating her first Eid in the UAE, after moving to Abu Dhabi earlier this year.
“We are from France, so it’s great for Muslims to celebrate Eid in a Muslim country,” she said. “The holiday allows me to practise my religion and I can also spend time with my family.”
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Emmanuel Samoglou
