Eid al-Fitr Celebrations

In our Emirati community, one of the most cherished times is Eid al-Fitr, the joyful festival that marks the end of Ramadan.

Every year, as the crescent moon is sighted announcing the end of fasting, excitement fills the air. My grandmother wakes up early to prepare luqaimat and chabab for breakfast. The whole family gathers in our majlis wearing new clothes — the men in crisp white kanduras and the women in beautifully embroidered abayas with intricate details.

After the morning Eid prayer at the mosque, where thousands stand together in unity, we return home for the big family feast. The table is filled with machboos, harees, dates, and Arabic coffee (gahwa).

Children run around collecting Eidiyah — money gifts from elders — with big smiles on their faces.

One memory that always stays with me is from last year’s Eid. After the family meal, we all went to the beach at sunset. Families from across the emirate gathered there. Traditional songs echoed, children played, and the smell of bukhoor (incense) mixed with the sea breeze. As the sky turned golden, we watched fireworks light up the sky while sharing stories and laughter.

Eid reminds us of the values we hold dear: gratitude, generosity, family, and community.