The approach of the Eid al-Fitr holiday

Metropolitan Premium Properties congratulates Muslims on the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday!

Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important religious holidays in the Muslim world, which means ‘the festival of breaking the fast’. The holy day marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. According to the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, which is the tenth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

A specific prayer is nominated for the holy day and it is forbidden to fast on Eid al-Fitr. Muslims should do a mandatory act of charity by giving money to the poor and the needy before performing the prayer.

Eid al Fitr in the UAE could start on Friday or Saturday, but this will only be confirmed after the moon-sighting committee meeting on Thursday April 20. If Friday April 21 is announced as the start date of Eid al Fitr, there will be a four-day weekend in the country, from April 20 – 23.

Eid al-Fitr is the time to embrace family values as well as the time of joy and fun. Muslims decorate their homes, put on their best clothes, prepare traditional treats and sweets and invite relatives and friends to visit. Large-scale celebrations are held in the Emirates, many catering halls and restaurants offer festive dishes. For example, you can enjoy a traditional Emirati feast at Al Fanar Restaurant. For the holiday, Muslims are also encouraged to forgive each other.

The city offers exciting activities, live music, as well as traditional dance performances in honour of the holiday. In Dubai, malls and entertainment spots often organize shows and special performances for tourists and residents. To learn more about religious and holiday traditions, you can visit Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. They organize tours to Jumeirah Mosque accompanied by experienced guides.

The important part of Eid al-Fitr holiday is gift-giving, therefore shopping malls and boutiques in Dubai host flash sales and bargains. Sales are typically announced at the last-minute on mall websites.