Eid in Dubai...my take!

Pictures of children...they are the angels of our open house!

We hosted an open house on Day 3 of Eid

Ladies with anak2 yang comel-comel!

Some of the men! 1. Frantic rush. Most people were expecting Eidilfitri to be on Saturday. When Friday was
announced, huge number of people made frantic rush to supermarkets. LiL
and I included. And we knew we made the wrong choice of location to go
for shopping as the roads leading to Karama center were jam packed. We will be wiser next year for sure - In not leaving it to the eleventh hour and in choosing where to go for shopping.

2. EidilFitri prayer was held very early - in almost all mosques before 7am. Fortunately we were well advised.

3. Open house. The Malaysian community in Dubai celebrated the first day of Hari Raya in good communal spirit - starting with an open house held at the Malaysian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and numerous open houses held by individuals. Malaysian cuisines were in generous spread, and even Raya songs were in the air. Ours will be on Sunday 3rd Syawal.
Malaysians here really dressed for the occasion - in Baju Melayu, Kebaya and Kurung - celebrating the Hari Raya in true Malaysian style.

4. Duit raya. For better or worse, there aren't 'duit raya' tradition here amongst Malaysians. Children do not expect, and adults don't have to worry about them. Amongst the local community however, children are still given 'Eid's gift of money'. I know because one of my friend's son received AED1000 in an envelop given to him by a local Emirati he they were visiting. Lucky fellow!

5. Drop in guests. I really like drop in guests - those who just knock on your door without waiting for invitation. It is great! To me, true spirit of Hari Raya in villages are just like that. 'Open house' to the villagers are anytime, any day, to any one's house in the community. And the hosts will serve whatever they have. The highlight was to do 're-bonding' and 'forgiving and asking for forgiveness'. However, in Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities - folks have reverted to 'open house by invitation' concept - practical of course but not quite as free-spirited.
6. SMS's played a big role in living the spirit of Raya. I too sent out SMS's and receiving them always brought smile to my face. Many are really nicely worded too. Like these few I received and quoted here

"sepuluh jari di susun rapi
dari ingatan turun ke hati
ampun maaf jua di pinta
di atas silap pada tutur dan kata
tingkah laku dan hati yg prasangka
..."

and the one below

"masak lemang sambil berdiri
hendak makan di aidilfitri
nak hantar kad raya posmen dah cuti
sms saja dpt ku beri
bukan lupa pada tradisi
cuma ikut teknologi terkini
yang ada di hujung jari
..."

and short and sweet below

"tangan di hulur maaf di pinta
semoga lebaran membawa bahagia"

and another one

"resepi rendang santan berlada
di masak untuk si pakcik ahmad
utara selatan atau di mana saja
semoga silaratulrahim tetap erat.."

and one from Along....:-)

"mak ayah! selamat hari raya maaf zahir batin dari Along yg tengah
pening..hehehehe"

Thank you to everyone who have sent me the many smss greetings....much appreciated!


7.Children were the happiest. Every open house I have been to - I saw, heard and experienced their happiness, joy and laughter. Eid without them wouldn't be the same. One thing about children, they got on well with each other fast and without any hang-ups. They were least concern about who own bigger toys or received higher pocket money. They simply wanted to make friends and shared a good time.

8. Conversation topics - Here in Dubai, hot conversation topics amongst males are: Traffic jam, Ridiculous High Cost of Living - especially house rentals, Children's schooling, More about traffic jam and progress of Metro-lines, Malaysian politics, Peremb@'s recent issue due to its business in Dubai.
I wonder what the ladies talked about. In true Middle Eastern style, most open houses have separate ladies and men's section. Ermm, not my preference......I don't see why amongst us Malaysians we can't mix more freely.

9. The caterers! Whose business is booming during Eid? The answer is = the caterers! Most of the open houses of the local Emiratis are on grand scales. The Arab hospitality is really demonstrated to the extreme during Eid.

.....have a safe Eid, drive safely!.....