Most festivals in Abu Dhabi are inspired and influenced by Islam. Celebrated mostly with the intention to offer a helping hand to the people with financial needs, the festivals in Abu Dhabi deserve your attention. The major festivals are Ramadan, Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr. These festivals also give you a chance to observe the fraternity of the Arabs. The festivals are for everyone, regardless of their sex and wealth.
Ramadan is celebrated following a month of fasting. During the fast, Muslims refrain from partaking of any food and drink from morning till evening. They do not engage in smoking either. The festival is held in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The month changes depending on the lunar movement. In 2016, the Ramadan period fell between June 6th and July 5th. If you are a non-Muslim staying at a Liwa desert resort, you can have food and drinks in private.
Eid Al Fitr is Arabic for breaking the fast. The festival takes on a celebratory mood and goes on for three days. Eid Al Fitr, in fact, is the end of Ramadan. If you are in the city during this period, you will be in for luck. You can savour a number of traditional as well as modern Arabic delicacies. Any resort in Abu Dhabi such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara will take on a festive spirit during the Ramadan celebrations.
Eid Al Adha is held to commemorate Abraham, a saint in Koran, who sacrificed his son. His act was a mark of submission to the command of the God. The Muslims sacrifice animals and offer them to the Gods to pay tribute to Abraham’s act. The meat of the sacrificed animals is shared among family, relatives and the poor. This holiday, like Ramadan, is celebrated across the world. In 2016, the festival is held in September. Visiting Abu Dhabi during the Eid Al Adha season will give you an opportunity to study the Arabs’ cultural and religious beliefs.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
