Dubai: Eid Al Fitr is just around the corner and residents are in a celebratory mood. While some are out shopping for new clothes and jewellery, many are making travel plans. We asked some UAE residents to recall their earliest memory of Eid and what the festival means to them and what are their plans for this Eid.
Ahmad Mohammad Al Harthy Emirati, 25
Earliest memory of Eid:
I was six years old and remember spending the day at a cousin’s place. My uncle gave us Eidiya - a tradition of gifting money to women and children by elders in the family – and took us to a mall. We got new clothes and lots of toys.
What am I looking forward to this year?
Catching up with family and friends and relishing the lavish Eid meals.
What will I wear?
Like most Emirati men, I will wear a kandoura which is our traditional dress.
What will I serve my guests?
Luqaimat (crunchy sweet dumplings, harees (coarsely-ground wheat, mixed with meat) and Al Machboos (Emirati version of pulao)
Falak Mohammed Kassab Palestinian, 18
Earliest memory of Eid:
I was ten years old and my grandmother had stitched a special frock for me to wear on Eid. It was so pretty I remember it to this day.
What am I looking forward to?
Spending time with my loved ones. Our busy lives hardly leave us with any time for family and friends. Family reunions during Eid provide an ideal setting to connect, renew and strengthen ties.
What will I wear?
A jalabiya or kaftan.
What will I serve my guests
At my place it’s mostly kubba (meat ball curry), rose milk shake and date cookies. Maqloubeh, a dish of layered meat, rice and vegetables is also very popular in Palestinian homes during Eid.
Hunain Rizwan Pakistani, 25
Earliest memory of Eid
Watching my uncle distribute Eidya among children back home in Pakistan. I must have been about five or six years old and I remember excitedly waiting for my turn.
What am I looking forward to?
Eid is about family and friends, putting aside our differences and enjoying a nice meal together and I intend to do all this and a lot more.”
What will I serve guests?
Nihari (beef curry), mutton pulao (rice dish with meat), sheer korma (vermicelli sweet dish)
Sadaf Khurshid Indian, 29
Earliest memory of Eid
My earliest memory of Eid is of our mother stitching new clothes for us. She would start two weeks before the festival to ensure all of us had new outfits.
What am I looking forward to?
Taking stock of my actions and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
I am also lookng forward to having a wonderful time with my family, becoming closer to God, and appreciating what I have.
What will I wear?
Since India is a melting pot of various cultures, the outfit people wear on Eid varies from region to region, but I will stick to a shalwar kameez.
What will I serve my guests?
Pooris (unleavened deep-fried Indian bread) and chholay (curry made from chick peas), dahi bhallas (deep friend lentil balls in yogurt sauce) and siwayian (vermicelli sweet dish)
Ahmad Zia Ahmad Afghan, 24
Earliest memory of Eid
Wearing new clothes, going to a mosque in my hometown to pray with my uncles and cousin and then enjoying the wonderful dishes.
I must have been five years old then but still remember everything as if was yesterday.
What am I looking forward to?
Wishing family members and friends I haven’t heard from in a a long time.
What will I wear?
Shalwar kameez – but one which has a lot of bling on it.
What will I serve my guests?
Afghans are known for their hospitality. So you will have a lavish spread including gastronomic delights such as Afghani pulao (rice dish) dupiazza (meatball curry), kebabs and barbeque items.
Zeeshan Sayeed Bangladeshi, 26
Earliest memory of Eid
Flying to my hometown Dhaka from Sharjah to celebrate Eid. I was around five years old and my father surprised us with this impromptu trip.
We barely had a few hours to pack and that heightened the excitement of the trip. My grandparents weren’t expecting us and were thrilled to see us. I cannot forget the look on their faces when we entered the house.
What I am looking forward to?
Recharging family bonds, strengthening relations and distributing Eidya among children. The smiles on their faces when they get Eidya is priceless.
What will I wear?
I will wear our national costume lungi - a sarong-like garment wrapped around the waist and extending to the ankles – with a shirt.
What will I serve my guests?
Ilish mach (fish curry), usually eaten with rice or pulao, chom chom (flour-based sweet dish garnished with coconut flakes) and rasmalai (sugary white creamed balls soaked in clotted cream and cooked in sugar syrup) among a host of other things.
