Eid reflections: ‘Joy is best shared. This is one lesson I’ve learnt from Eid’

Ayesha Almazroui reflects back on what Eid Al Adha means to her and how it influenced her growing up.

Eid has always been a special occasion for me. Since my childhood, my parents have made it an exceptional celebration that I always look forward to.
On this day, I would wake up in the morning to find my special Eid gift ready for me. One time, it was a drawing set, another time a doll house; one time a doctor playset, another time a kitchen playset or stationery.
I would wear my new Eid outfit, which is another special part of the day. My mother would do my hair, using matching hair bands and accessories. After exchanging congratulations among the family, we would have breakfast together, eating traditional Emirati food. Then we would go to the mosque for Eid prayers, a special prayer offered to commemorate the day.
At noon, we would visit the houses of my grandfathers and grandmothers, from both my father's and mother's sides. There we would meet our uncles, aunts and cousins, who are also our childhood friends. We would catch up, eat, play games and spend a lovely time ­together.
The best part was the Eidiya, or the money children collect from older family members and relatives during the day.
Now that I'm older, I don't get to collect Eidiya. But I still find it lovely to see children's smiles while receiving it. It's nice to see them competing about how much money they can collect. It's also cute when they discuss their plans for how they're going to spend that money.
Now I'm thinking about it, I miss this childish thrill and enthusiasm. Eid isn't as exciting as you grow older – it becomes more like any other social occasion. But it remains a good opportunity for family members to come together.
It also provides us with an opportunity to reconnect with our faith, to take a moment from the busy nature of life and remember our spiritual needs in a materialistic world.
During this time of the year, many Muslims travel to Mecca to perform Haj. The pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for adults, if financially and physically able, at least once in their lifetime.
I've always wanted to do the pilgrimage. To me, it symbolises unity and equality. Millions of Muslims from different races, cultures, nationalities and social and economic backgrounds come together in one place at the same time. They perform the same rituals. They wear the same type of clothing. They say the same prayers. They all have the same goal: to fulfil their religious duty and prove their commitment and devotion to God.
Because Eid Al Adha is celebrated across three days (two more days than Eid Al Fitr), we call it the "Big Eid". During the other two days, we would normally visit more relatives or go on family trips inside the UAE. Sometimes we would travel abroad and extend our holiday.
This year, I'm going on a family trip to Germany and Austria for the first time. While I'm excited to explore new places in these two countries, I'm also looking forward to meeting Syrian refugees and will hopefully get to celebrate with them this happy occasion.
Joy is best shared. This is one lesson I've learnt from Eid.
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