The Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr is a time of joy, food, and gathering with loved ones in the UAE. After a month of fasting during Ramadan, the country eagerly awaits the sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid. The UAE’s Moon sighting committee will meet to search for the crescent on Monday evening. If the moon is sighted, Eid will be celebrated on April 9th; otherwise, it will be observed on April 10th.
Eid festivities in the UAE start with a special prayer held at mosques and open-air places of worship called musallahs. Worshippers gather shortly after sunrise, dressed in their finest attire, for congregational prayers. The timings for Eid prayers across the Emirates have been announced by the authorities.
In Dubai, the Eid prayer will be held at 6:20 am, according to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. In Sharjah, prayer timings vary across different regions, ranging from 6:14 am to 6:17 am. Abu Dhabi’s prayer timings are generally two to four minutes after Dubai, with prayers scheduled for 6:22 am in the city and 6:15 am in Al Ain.
In Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, prayer timings are similar to Sharjah, with prayers expected to commence at 6:17 am or 6:15 am, depending on the region.
The Eid prayer consists of two units (raka’ah) and is led by an Imam. Multiple takbirs are offered in each unit, followed by the recitation of Quranic verses. After the prayer, the Imam delivers a sermon, which Muslims are encouraged to listen to attentively.
Once the prayer and sermon are concluded, Muslims exchange greetings of “Eid Mubarak” with their loved ones and begin their day’s celebrations. It is customary to embrace family and friends, spreading joy and happiness on this auspicious day.
