ABU DHABI // Thousands of people travelled to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque early on Monday for Eid Al Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramadan and the start of the month of Shawwal.
It was a festive mood at the mosque as people greeted friends and family, taking photos as mementoes. They started arriving from all directions for fajr, the pre-dawn prayers.
After prayers children in colourful clothes rushed from one corner of the mosque to another, playing and posing for photos.
Many visitors from GCC countries had come to perform Eid prayers with their entire families.
Ahmed Al Ghamidi, from Saudi Arabia, brought his family to the UAE six days ago.
“The grand mosque is very beautiful. I loved the place,” Mr Al Ghamidi said. “I spent already six days in Abu Dhabi and we are going to spend another week in Dubai.”
His son Nayef, 17, was excited to celebrate Eid at the mosque.
“We came to mark Eid Al Fitr here. I heard about it so I wanted to witness its beauty,” Nayef said.
Some of the devout stayed awake all night to make sure they would not miss the 6.15am prayers. Others slept for only a few hours.
Roads leading to the mosque were jammed and Abu Dhabi traffic police were on site. The mosque, which can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers, was full.
Separate prayer areas were set aside for women.
Adil Hafiz, 55, an Egyptian, has performed most of his taraweeh prayers at the mosque.
“I love this mosque so I very frequently come here for prayers,” Mr Hafiz said. “In the past five years of my stay here I always perform Eid here.”
He was at the mosque with his family, including his children.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, offered Eid prayers there on Monday.
He was joined by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy prime minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy prime minister and Minister of Interior; and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
They were joined by other members of the royal family, ministers and many sheikhs.
After prayers, Sheikh Mohammed and other dignitaries visited the tomb of his father, Sheikh Zayed, and prayed for him.
Solminda Basali, 32, travelled from the Philippines to spend Ramadan in the capital.
“This is my second trip to the Emirates, as well as praying at this mosque,” Mrs Basali said.
“My husband works here but this time I would like to stay and work here too, as I like the city too much.”
Her husband Basheir, 34, who has lived in the UAE since 2007, echoed her views. “I reached here very early in the morning to catch prayers and I always pray Eid here,” he said. “I feel very delighted praying here.”
Meanwhile, the imam of the Grand Mosque recited the Eid sermon after prayers and asked Muslims to observe the teachings of Ramadan.
He said worshippers should obey parents and elders, and shower kindness on their children.
“Always follow the right path defined by Allah and its Prophet, Mohammed, peace be upon him.”
He urged Muslims to pay Zakat Al Fitr and help the poor.
In Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, performed prayers at Sheikh Rashid Mosque in Zabeel, the state news agency Wam reported.
He was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, among other dignitaries.
The imam at Sheikh Rashid Mosque called on Muslims to thank Allah for glories He endowed upon them in the holy month. He thanked the UAE leadership for its humanitarian and religious initiatives to ease suffering of the world’s needy.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, performed Eid prayers at Al Badea Musalla and later received well wishers at Al Badea Al Amer Palace.
anwar@thenational.ae