Camaraderie marks the celebration of Eid Al Adha

Mosques and musallas were packed as the faithful flocked for worship at the crack of dawn on Saturday. Greetings and embraces flowed in the festive air of Eid Al Adha.A feast awaited later in the day as families gathered to be amongst loved ones.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Dr Shaikh Sultan, Shaikh Saud bin Saqr, Shaikh Saud bin Rashid, Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed and Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Sharjah Crown Prince Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed in talks after exchanging Eid greetings at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. — Wam

Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers congratulated the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and wished him well to continue the march of comprehensive development. They expressed pride in the UAE leadership and lauded its focus on prosperity and welfare of the people.

The Rulers, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers were received by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi later.

Their Highnesses Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi of Sharjah, Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah, Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla of Umm Al Quwain and Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman were among those who called on Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

The others attending the reception were Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; and Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. Also present were Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; Shaikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Shaikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; a number of shaikhs and senior officials.

Sacrifice and celebrations

The largest congregation of worshippers was witnessed at the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, where over 50,000 bowed before the Almighty Allah seeking His blessings.

At the Mina Zayed abattoir, which is located next to Abu Dhabi Livestock Market, an estimated 3,000 animals were slaughtered by 2.30pm. Over 400-500 people were seen standing with their animals in queues. Mian Mohammed Javed, businessman from Musaffah, said sacrificial animals were sheep, lambs and goats from Australia, Pakistan and Somalia.

A live Australian lamb weighing 8-12kg sold for Dh600-900, said Chaudhary Shafi Ullah, who purchased 10 animals for the big day. Abu Khalid, 75-year-old Syrian, was delighted to enjoy his second Eid in Abu Dhabi with his newly married son. “However, I am longing earnestly to go back home and meet my friends and relatives as I always do every feast.”

Mohammed Iqbal, cab driver in Dubai, said though it was a working day for him, he and his buddies bought a goat to be sacrificed. “I managed to get some free time in the afternoon for a massive spread of biryani, but it’s nothing like being at home in Bangladesh for the festival... What’s Eid without family... but I try to cope.”

Accompanied by his two sons, 45-year-old Egyptian Sherif Al Wakeel said this was his 13th feast in the UAE and he wouldn’t like to be anywhere else. “I always take my children to the park where we eat, play together and have fun out in the open.”

(With inputs from Wam)

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