Eid Al Adha in Dubai
Eid al-Adha, also called Feast of the Sacrifice, the Major Festival, the Greater Eid, Kurban Bayram, or Eid e Qurban, is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. It honours the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail as an act of submission to Allah’s command and his son’s acceptance to being sacrificed, before Allah intervened to provide Abraham with a Lamb to sacrifice instead. In the lunar Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days. In the international Gregorian calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year. Joy and celebrations has sweept across the UAE on Tuesday as residents mark Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) with social visits, outings, dining and other leisure pursuits. A wide variety of activities and events have been planned for the long Eid break, with families, friends and visitors spoilt for choice. Each emirate has rolled out a range of Eid attractions, be it 24-hour shopping, fireworks or amusement fairs. Many families are flocking to public parks, beaches and tourist spots, while others are busy receiving guests or accepting Eid invitations at home.
Al-Hijra(Islamic New Year) in The United Arab Emirates
The Islamic year lasts for about 354 days and consists of 12 months. Muharram is the first month and some Muslims mark the start of the Islamic year on the first day of Muharram. Many Muslims fast during daylight hours on the ninth and 10th or 10th and 11th days of the month to mark the Day of Ashura (Yaumu-l ‘Ashurah). This is the anniversary of the death of Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammed.
U.A.E National Flag Day
In a historic moment, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, led the nation’s celebrations of Flag Day at the Union House on Wednesday afternoon, where the founding fathers hoisted the flag 42 years ago.
Sheikh Mohammed, who was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, said, “We renew our allegiance and promise to the people of the UAE to serve them and their dignity, to sacrifice our souls for the UAE soil and be loyal to the flag and keep it flying aloft.”
Addressing children around him, Sheikh Mohammed said, “The flag is a trust that we received from our founding fathers… it is a trust with my brother Sheikh Khalifa, with me and with every Emirati man and woman and a trust in the hands of next generations.”
LEARNING BAY 8B3 