![Authorities also advised people to give online presents as Eidiyya to children. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2UINCWGCOEAEZXEXAKBRDIUM6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4597135a4b03de7d26d115374297d0716b7de7fda1cd5eabec35da288d627eaa&width=400&height=225)
![The faithful maintain physical distance while performing Eid prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X2XN2QXZBFWGKTRVZEV3L5HZTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbcfb2820c45bbd44a0f8114e02373b1cbff5d034513b2dc9346260d9738713d&width=400&height=225)
![Men roll out prayer mats before performing Salat Al Eid prayers. Eid prayers are traditionally held in an open space, Eidgah. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L65IBJH2BXOH3OYOQL7AJUFV7M.jpg?smart=true&auth=46c843e02acc3595a034c7c4b11e4e4eabab5282986bc0e2bcef97714ca85e37&width=400&height=225)
![The faithful arrive at the Umm Suquim prayer grounds to offer Eid prayers. The UAE authorities allowed communal Eid prayers again this year. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B2ZEEY3B2APFK7I7CKO5HLIGZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=107c89612e99a431685253c780b79ed07e7ae6584fba24ece1212c7e10d651aa&width=400&height=225)
![Men arrive to perform Eid prayers in Dubai. Under social distancing rules, prayer access is limited to 15 minutes in the Emirates this year. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NV2LBIIN474O3HQZWYA54364GQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f79f943c29043bd45bdac8526f43d9f9ee0a284a526c5fd8c050cce197ba13df&width=400&height=225)
![Worshippers attend Eid prayers at the Umm Suquim Eid prayer grounds. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UGZZZYLOXEM2STKVGVP6BJQTMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f585c325aaf318b49748ccfb939de86a45cbba6ff3240b9e181b04459d3adbb1&width=400&height=225)
![Younger worshippers wear facemasks while performing Eid prayers in Umm Suquim. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HNBHGED34PA5YQK3LRDRI3R7WQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a97fc61a8f8a416ef225fe50bf13a8576ff71188a4c64e69e7114993ff21e73d&width=400&height=225)
![On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, wished happiness, health and peace to all. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIJDQKFNM4PVGYLIO66IP5HKHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7625b04d069dc61cc662a55ecf0fc4d36a267b49258dcf1543708e322d2697b&width=400&height=225)
![A man takes a selfie before prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BOXV2MPNRUEWAHSXXNQ34R2OVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=20f5779ef6b19a89da72d4744dae370b57f550064deadf4fb7a24776768c83b6&width=400&height=225)
![Worshippers young and old perform Eid prayers in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VEEXEQY7HWCWGL7NEOPG3ZWYVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=302dd837414eb1cdac3205efeb5eeeef2695e29c626119a4ff5fd91e2015a0a2&width=400&height=225)
![UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority outlined Covid-19 safety precautions for Eid Al Fitr, such as limiting prayer times to 15 minutes and avoiding family visits and gatherings. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MRP7I3RXBFMNQ2G3QXL5JQMERM.jpg?smart=true&auth=64b3d09c055cc83a69d3b2e233e50ecf0da4e732be4e86d7e1a49d88a134e3d2&width=400&height=225)
![Wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing must be adhered to during Eid prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQLPOENKYV5PBO2A72FOAAQYHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=616bf62779727edecf7776d44ad86f18016b3c2f58f745d35b8a75f3376ab4a0&width=400&height=225)
![Shaking hands before and after prayer are prohibited, with people advised to greet each other from a distance. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4J225LOKVECALBFQ76CSBJERJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c415532e58137b59ed6738dc25bd2c9e730e8d5d23e239f1811b277e9b74e69b&width=400&height=225)
![Authorities also advised people to give online presents as Eidiyya to children. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2UINCWGCOEAEZXEXAKBRDIUM6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4597135a4b03de7d26d115374297d0716b7de7fda1cd5eabec35da288d627eaa&width=400&height=225)
![The faithful maintain physical distance while performing Eid prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X2XN2QXZBFWGKTRVZEV3L5HZTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbcfb2820c45bbd44a0f8114e02373b1cbff5d034513b2dc9346260d9738713d&width=400&height=225)
![Men roll out prayer mats before performing Salat Al Eid prayers. Eid prayers are traditionally held in an open space, Eidgah. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L65IBJH2BXOH3OYOQL7AJUFV7M.jpg?smart=true&auth=46c843e02acc3595a034c7c4b11e4e4eabab5282986bc0e2bcef97714ca85e37&width=400&height=225)
![The faithful arrive at the Umm Suquim prayer grounds to offer Eid prayers. The UAE authorities allowed communal Eid prayers again this year. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B2ZEEY3B2APFK7I7CKO5HLIGZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=107c89612e99a431685253c780b79ed07e7ae6584fba24ece1212c7e10d651aa&width=400&height=225)
![Men arrive to perform Eid prayers in Dubai. Under social distancing rules, prayer access is limited to 15 minutes in the Emirates this year. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NV2LBIIN474O3HQZWYA54364GQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f79f943c29043bd45bdac8526f43d9f9ee0a284a526c5fd8c050cce197ba13df&width=400&height=225)
![Worshippers attend Eid prayers at the Umm Suquim Eid prayer grounds. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UGZZZYLOXEM2STKVGVP6BJQTMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f585c325aaf318b49748ccfb939de86a45cbba6ff3240b9e181b04459d3adbb1&width=400&height=225)
![Younger worshippers wear facemasks while performing Eid prayers in Umm Suquim. Antonie Robertson / The National.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HNBHGED34PA5YQK3LRDRI3R7WQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=a97fc61a8f8a416ef225fe50bf13a8576ff71188a4c64e69e7114993ff21e73d&width=400&height=225)
![On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, wished happiness, health and peace to all. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HIJDQKFNM4PVGYLIO66IP5HKHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7625b04d069dc61cc662a55ecf0fc4d36a267b49258dcf1543708e322d2697b&width=400&height=225)
![A man takes a selfie before prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BOXV2MPNRUEWAHSXXNQ34R2OVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=20f5779ef6b19a89da72d4744dae370b57f550064deadf4fb7a24776768c83b6&width=400&height=225)
![Worshippers young and old perform Eid prayers in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VEEXEQY7HWCWGL7NEOPG3ZWYVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=302dd837414eb1cdac3205efeb5eeeef2695e29c626119a4ff5fd91e2015a0a2&width=400&height=225)
![UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority outlined Covid-19 safety precautions for Eid Al Fitr, such as limiting prayer times to 15 minutes and avoiding family visits and gatherings. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MRP7I3RXBFMNQ2G3QXL5JQMERM.jpg?smart=true&auth=64b3d09c055cc83a69d3b2e233e50ecf0da4e732be4e86d7e1a49d88a134e3d2&width=400&height=225)
![Wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing must be adhered to during Eid prayers. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OQLPOENKYV5PBO2A72FOAAQYHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=616bf62779727edecf7776d44ad86f18016b3c2f58f745d35b8a75f3376ab4a0&width=400&height=225)
![Shaking hands before and after prayer are prohibited, with people advised to greet each other from a distance. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4J225LOKVECALBFQ76CSBJERJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c415532e58137b59ed6738dc25bd2c9e730e8d5d23e239f1811b277e9b74e69b&width=400&height=225)
![Authorities also advised people to give online presents as Eidiyya to children. Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2UINCWGCOEAEZXEXAKBRDIUM6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=4597135a4b03de7d26d115374297d0716b7de7fda1cd5eabec35da288d627eaa&width=400&height=225)
In-person Eid prayers for the first time during the pandemic
In scenes reminiscent of years gone by, worshippers lined up at mosques to mark the start of the second Eid Al Fitr since the pandemic started
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
May 13, 2021
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