'The most important and precious tradition': UAE worshippers mark Eid Al Fitr with prayers

UAE residents joined millions of Muslims around the world on Friday to mark the first day of Eid Al Fitr with prayers, before enjoying a long weekend with their families.

In Fujairah thousands of residents flocked to mosques across the emirate to offer early morning prayers and exchange Eid greetings in a festive and spiritual atmosphere.

From the youngest members of a family to the eldest, all hurried to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah wearing their best outfits and ready to begin their day praying and expressing their gratitude to Allah.

Saeed Al Mismari was one of the worshippers who attended the Eid prayers with his family said that Eid celebrations should start by thanking God for the blessings and praying for the country and its leaders.

“We all wake up early every Eid, get dressed and prepared to attend the early prayers. It’s an opportunity to thank God for the countless blessings and pray for the country and its leaders,” the 34-year-old Emirati said

“I always bring my two children aged 4 and 7, my wife and mother-in-law to the prayers, and after that we pass by to my parents’ house, have breakfast there and then start with the Eid greeting visits."

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After the prayers, Mr Al Mismari will visits his two sisters in Dibba and then head to Ras Al Khaimah to visit his brother.

“I’m the youngest one in the family and that’s why I should start with the visits, it’s a tradition and we all enjoy it,” he said.

Prayers were led by Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Crown Prince of Fujairah, at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The mosque is the second-largest in the country and can accommodate 28,000 worshippers.

“It’s the most important and precious tradition in Eid and it becomes more special when you pray with the Ruler,” said Jamil Abu Alrob, a 29-year-old Jordanian living in Abu Dhabi.

“I came to visit my sister on Thursday to spend Eid Al Fitr with her and the family, and when my brother-in-law told me that we are going to attend Eid prayers at Sheikh Zayed Mosque I got very excited,” he said.

“It’s the first time I pray in the mosque and the experience was indescribable, it’s considered a very good start for Eid."

Mr Abu Alrob said that he will join his sister’s family on a trip to Al Aqah as they are planning to spend the whole day near the beach at one of the hotel resorts there.

“I only have my sister here, the rest of the family is in Jordan and the US, so we try to gather in every occasion and do fun things together,” he said.

Mariam Al Shahhi, who was praying with her sisters and cousins, said that after the prayers they go to their grandmother’s house and spend the day there.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed leads Eid prayers in Abu Dhabi

“Our grandmother prepares all the yummy food and sweets, we always spend the first day at her house along with the rest of the family who joins from other emirates,” said Ms Al Shahhi, a 24-year-old Emirati engineer from Fujairah.

“Eid is a blessing and we should appreciate it and keep the traditions alive and pass it to the next generations. We all enjoy it, children receive Eid gifts and money while we enjoy the company of each other as a family,” she said.

“Many people decide to travel during Eid and unfortunately they miss all the fun back here. For me I always prefer to spend Eid with the family especially my grandmother and explore the country."