Emiratis place great importance on the celebration
of the Eid al-Fitr. This is the festival held at the end of the
Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. On the evening when the end of Ramadan
is proclaimed, there is an atmosphere of excitement and joy everywhere.
On the next day, families rise at dawn to pray in the mosque. Children
and adults wear new clothes and visit friends and to wish them a happy
Eid. It is also typical on this day for Emiratis to share gifts
with their poorer neighbours.
Another important festival is the twenty-seventh
night of Ramadan, which is known as Lailet al-Qader and commemorates
the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Mohammed. On this and other
religious occasions, rulers and their subjects attend prayers at mosques
throughout the country. |
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Another significant celebration in the Islamic
year is Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. The festival
celebrates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to offer his son as a sacrifice
to God. Eid al-Adha occurs during the month of the Hajj, the annual
pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who cannot make the pilgrimage celebrate with
their families with the sacrifice of a goat or a sheep. The meat is distributed
to the poor. |
Did
you know? |
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During Islamic
festivals it is customary for all Arabs who hold high positions to visit
the ruler and pay their respects. |
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The most recent addition to the Emirati festive
calendar is the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the
UAE. The main celebration is held on December 2, in the capital, Abu Dhabi.
The day is marked by parades celebrating the achievements of the country
since it was founded in 1971.
Each of the Emirates has its own particular
holidays. For example, in Abu Dhabi, Emiratis celebrate the accession of
Sheikh Zayed on August 6.
Did
you know? |
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Dates for Islamic
festivals cannot be forecast with precision because they depend on the
sighting of the moon. The Islamic year lasts 354 days, or 11 fewer days
than the 365 days in the Canadian calendar. |
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