Thousands and hundreds of worshippers of all nationalities and ages lined up in front of mosques from around the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, July 9, to perform prayers of Eid Al Adha while observing measures to control the spread of Covid-19.
Eid Al Adha is among the most critical days in the Islamic calendar and is also the holiest celebration. For the Muslim community, it represents happiness, joy, and gathering with their loved ones.
On Saturday, traffic police in the UAE directed motorists as worshippers rushed to find a space to park their vehicles.
Around Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, located in Dubai’s Al Safa area, devotees tried to get a spot in the mosque. Imams and volunteers looked over worshippers’ entry and exit points at mosques to avert overcrowding and maintain order.
Wearing masks were mandatory while the worshippers were inside the mosque.
After the end of the prayer, worshippers kept sitting and listening to the imam, who delivered a small speech.
Imam at the Al Farooq mosque stated that Eid Al Adha represents happiness and joy.
He further said that people could not enjoy Eid if their hearts were full of hate for others.
Family and friends gathered to greet each other after the end of the prayer.
A 35-year-old Indian man, Mohammed Shafee, was holding the hands of his 5-year-old son Mohammed Shams and greeted his friends.
Shafee stated, ” I make sure every year to bring my family to perform Eid Al Adha prayer. It is a joyous day. It is a must to begin the festival with Eid prayers. I motivate my child to persist in the habit of praying.”
A 47-year-old trading company chief executive, Mohammed Riad from Sri Lanka, performed Eid prayers with his brother and said that this had become a tradition during his 20-year stay in the UAE.