UAE to give eidiyah to children of needy families on social welfare

The money will be distributed on the orders of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed says eidiyah will be given to children of families on UAE social welfare on Eid Al Fitr. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has asked officials to give eidiyah to children of families on social welfare programmes in the UAE.

Eidiyah – cash given to children during Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha – is a social tradition followed by Muslim families across the globe.

The gift will be given to all children of families registered in the programme across the emirates to bring happiness to them on this special occasion.

UAE’s social welfare programme and aid extends to widows, divorced women, people with disabilities, the elderly, orphans, children from unknown parents, and those with low income, among other categories.

The Ministry of Community Development oversees the system to ensure all those in need can receive assistance.

Eidiyah is considered a reward for successfully completing a month’s fasting in Ramadan – particularly at Eid Al Fitr – and in other communities, parents may even give decorated envelopes full of cash to their adult children. In the UAE, residents traditionally give eidiyah to children in their families and within the neighbourhood.