People across the country visited mosques, relatives' houses or the beach yesterday to mark the arrival of Eid Al Adha.
Thousands of worshippers attended prayers at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Mosque as early as 5.15am.
Groups of men stopped at corners to take pictures, while women bumped into their friends and exchanged greetings, with an Eid feeling clearly in the air.
The sounds of the takbeer flowed through the speakers as men chanted the traditional phrases preceding Eid prayers non-stop: "Allah the greatest, there is no God but Allah, Allah the greatest and to him we are thankful."
Among the worshippers was Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, prayed at the Grand Eid Prayer Grounds, according to the state news agency, Wam.
Two women appeared at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque with their daughters, aged 2 and 3, carrying colourful balloons.
"We wanted something to entertain the children as we pray," said Deena Abdullah, 28.
The Egyptian housewife felt Eid had really begun when she arrived at the mosque, heard the takbeer and saw the flocks of worshippers entering.
"It is a beautiful atmosphere," she said.
Even the children's fashion sense reflected Eid. Women pointed at young boys elegantly clothed in full national dress, while girls wore colourful outfits with hair accessories and small purses.
"I feel I'm in paradise," said Salima Allam, 28, a saleswoman from the Philippines. Miss Allam arrived with her five female relatives at 5.30am. They said the mosque was the biggest they had ever attended.
"I came to this mosque because I did not perform Haj yet. Even though I cannot afford to go to Mecca, I feel this is like Mecca for me," said her companion, Sarah Salili, 42, a Filipina maid. "That's why we wanted to experience coming here.
"We don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we want to experience it now."
In Ajman, Jumana Yousif, her family, sisters and brothers-in-law and their children were all set yesterday afternoon to head to Umm Al Qaiwain Beach.
"It's a wonderful occasion to get together as family and the weather is amazing for camping," she said, as children ran around her.
Two other families were visiting Dubai's beaches and parks.
Ibrahim Saleem said he, his wife and their two sons were driving to Dubai Beach to celebrate the festive occasion.
"There is no better time to go to the beach with your family than now," he said.
Wasan Al Ali, two of her husband's friends and their wives and children went to a Dubai park to celebrate Eid.
"It's time for children to play freely," she said.
The malls in Dubai had a festive look yesterday as they welcomed visitors and tourists. Some distributed balloons and featured parades and cultural programmes.
It was celebration time for several blue-collar workers enjoying their two days off for Eid.
"We are here to do some window shopping," said Rajesh Kumar, a driver at a Ras Al Khor company, who was at the Mall of the Emirates with some roommates.
"We took the Metro to get here and will spend a few hours walking around," he said.
Sunil Badran, a foreman, would have liked to have travelled home.
"It would have been great to see my family but it is too expensive to go for only four days," he said.
For others though, yesterday was business as usual.
"I have to be on duty during Eid," said a security officer at a mall, who asked not to be named. "I would have liked to spend the time at home. But I will get a lieu day later."
He was, however, looking forward to the special Eid meals arranged at his accommodation. Lt Abullah Al Mazyoud, the director of the Ports Police Station in Dubai, said additional officers had been deployed and extra patrols assigned to the emirate's beaches to ensure safety and security.
"They will monitor all kinds of violations, such as illegal use of bikes," he said.
He also noted that no accidents, mishaps or offences had been reported.
Abu Dhabi was similarly quiet, police said.
salamir@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting from Preeti Kannan
For our Eid photo gallery, go to https://www.thenationalnews.com/multimedia
