RIYADH: With the holy month of Ramadan drawing to a close, preparations for Eid Al-Fitr celebrations and the week-long holiday are underway in Saudi Arabia.
Mosques across the Kingdom are preparing for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer and crowds can be seen gathering in shopping centers to buy clothing, sweets, and toys for the annual celebration.
As Eid draws near, families are gearing up for the big occasion.
“We are a few days away from Eid Al-Fitr, the week-long celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and religious introspection, and preparations have already begun for the annual celebration,” said Abdulaziz Ali Saleh, an Eid shopper in Dheera Market, Riyadh.
He added that an important part of Eid shopping is preparing the dresses and thobes that will be worn at gatherings hosted by his family.
“New clothes are a big tradition on Eid Al-Fitr, so we go to shops, choose some really nice fabrics, and get the outfits for us, which we wear when we wake up on the day of Eid. We also buy sweets and chocolates for the kids,” said Rumana Shahid, a homemaker in Riyadh.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure the readiness of mosques and open-air prayer areas for Eid Al-Fitr. (SPA)
“It’s the time for reconnection, feasting to celebrate the culmination of the fasting month and celebration with families and friends. The focus of this annual big day is on maintaining and nourishing family ties and reaching out to our most beloved people,” she added.
With the shopping malls bustling with crowds for Eid, Manal Al-Harbi, a Riyadh resident, said: “People, along with their family and children, flock to shopping centers for new garments, chocolates and other Eid gifts to be shared with their loved ones on the Eid Al-Fitr, the most celebratory occasion in the Islamic calendar.
“I visited some shopping malls in the city today and last night, and I found them crowded with people busy in last-minute Eid shopping.
“You will see the Eid spirit here everywhere you go during the night. The streets decorated with colorful lights at night are going to be more busy and everything that is dull during the day will come to life at night, ahead of the biggest celebration in the Islamic calendar,” she added.
Official preparations have also begun to prepare places of worship for the holiday.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has undertaken extensive preparations at mosques and open-air prayer areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported
Across the country, meticulous cleaning and sterilization has taken place to maintain a hygienic atmosphere within these sacred spaces.
Furthermore, maintenance has been conducted on electrical systems, air-conditioning units, and audio equipment, guaranteeing optimal functionality and comfort for those performing prayers.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance’s Madinah branch has finalized preparations for Eid prayer, equipping 925 mosques and open prayer halls across the region.
Field inspections and maintenance have ensured the venues are ready for an influx of worshippers.
The Eid prayer will commence 15 minutes after sunrise, according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar.
