Families take in communal spirit for Eid Al Fitr

For many expats, the community spirit at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque among the faithful was like a second home.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attends Eid Al Fitr prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed , Deputy PShow more

It is a special time for families to share in celebration, with Muslims around the world gathering to spend Eid Al Fitr together.

But for the many expats living far from their loved ones, the communal spirit at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque served as a second home as the faithful marked the end of the holy month.

Some travelled hundreds of kilometres to be there.

“I live alone in Abu Dhabi,” said Samir Hassan, who visited the country’s largest mosque at lunchtime yesterday before driving to Dubai to spend the day with friends.

“My wife and daughter live abroad so I find it important to be around loved ones during this special time. I had a lovely breakfast this morning after a long month without it, although I would have loved to have spent it with my wife and daughter.”

Eid for Ridha Al Hassani means a day with his family here in Abu Dhabi, although many of his relatives and close friends have moved on.

“We used to have big family gatherings at our place but a lot of our relatives have now left the UAE so it’s not like before”, said Mr Al Hassani, 31, as he visited the mosque.

“Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Ramadan is legendary but during Eid prayers it is phenomenal. I’m going to try to spend as much time as I can with my immediate family today.

An engineer from Sharjah said: “It’s a family tradition that we perform Eid Al Fitr prayers in the Grand Mosque. It took us nearly two hours to arrive.

“My family and I are very happy to be here today.

“The mosque has a sentimental value to us.”

Mamoon Khan’s family drove from Dubai for lunchtime prayers.

“We arrived early this morning at 11am to ensure we would not miss Eid prayers,” Mr Khan said. “It’s important for my children to attend.”

Eid Al Fitr, which translates from Arabic to the “festival of breaking the fast”, marks the end of Ramadan.

For many Muslims the day begins with Eid prayers after regular morning prayers, followed by visits to family members and friends to exchange greetings.

In Ajman, hundreds of worshippers prayed in rows that stretched outside Aisha bint Hamad Al Suwaidi Mosque and into the streets.

Some brought their children who were later given bags of sweets by fellow worshippers.

When prayers ended the imam congratulated everyone on the first day of Eid and men embraced each other in greeting.

“It’s a tradition to embrace one another and spread joy of tolerance and acceptance,” said Egyptian teacher Khaled Abdul Hamid, who was praying with his son Mohammed, 12, who accompanies his father to Eid prayers every year.

“I love the atmosphere of everyone around being happy,” Mohammed said.

Jordanian accountant Ameer Younis took his six-year-old son to Eid prayers for the first time on Sunday.

“I want him to see what Eid truly means, being passionate and kind to other people even if we don’t know them,” Mr Younis said.

“Next year I will bring his younger brother as well.”

Shamsu Addin, a labourer from Bangladesh, said that performing Eid prayers in a mosque made him feel more like he was at home.

“I live here alone and I spend the month of Ramadan alone, but performing Eid prayers with thousands of other people makes me feel surrounded by family,” Mr Addin said.