Heavy rains, Mother's Day: How UAE residents spent second holiday of Eid Al Fitr

Rain across parts of the UAE brought a welcome change this Eid, offering a brief sense of ease amid ongoing regional tensions, and turning Day 2 into a more relaxed, unhurried celebration for many residents.With cooler temperatures and overcast skies, families stepped out to parks, malls and cafés, making the most of the rare weather while extending festive moments beyond the first day's gatherings.The occasion also coincided with Mother's Day in the UAE, adding an extra layer of warmth to the celebrations, as many families combined outings with gift shopping and time spent together.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.A slower Eid under cloudy skiesFor Syrian expat Majd Al Khatib, the shift from a month of spiritual focus to festive outings felt especially meaningful. After days “centered around prayers and reading the Quran,” she said it was refreshing to step out and enjoy the mood, particularly with Mother’s Day, making it “extra special.” “We’re at the mall picking out clothes, perfumes and little gifts for my mother and sisters. After a whole month of cooking at home, all the traditional recipes, because during Ramadan we don't like to order from outside... my 13-year-old daughter and I felt like a change, so we're planning to try something different for lunch — maybe American cuisine.My 16-year-old son, however, isn't a fan of shopping at all, so he’s happily staying home with my mother while we do the rounds."Preparation for buffet during EidCelebrations stretch across bordersFor many residents, Eid this year has stretched gently across borders, with celebrations flowing from one time zone into another, carried through phone calls, video chats and shared moments on screen.Mariah Siddiqui captured this sense of continuity, describing how her day began not in the UAE, but virtually in India, where Eid was being celebrated. "With Eid being celebrated today in India, my morning began with a stream of calls and video chats from family back home, all checking in and sharing their celebrations," she said, adding that she had already sent them videos a day earlier "to reassure them that we’re safe in the UAE and enjoying and celebrating Eid here."The connection, she said, made the distance feel smaller, as familiar sights and traditions travelled through screens. “It’s been heartwarming — seeing everyone dressed up, showing their mehendi, the children in traditional outfits — it truly feels like we’re celebrating together despite the distance,” she said, noting that the light rain and pleasant weather made the second day feel “more relaxed and unhurried."Even as the day unfolds in the UAE, her celebrations continue in rhythm with those back home. “Yesterday was mostly for family gatherings, but today is about catching up with friends I couldn’t meet — we might step out for coffee or lunch,” she said, adding that she would still be on calls with relatives as their Eid day progresses. “It feels like the celebrations haven’t really ended — they’ve simply continued across borders, blending moments here with those back home.” Eman Malik in her Eid outfitOutdoors, food and family timePakistani expat, Eman Malik said the pleasant, rainy weather had set the tone for a more relaxed Day 2 of Eid celebrations, with her family planning to head outdoors later in the day.“We will be going for a BBQ to Mushrif Park or Mamzar Park. We are a total of three families and will go around 5-5.30pm. In the afternoon, we went out for lunch — the food depends on our choice, me and my sisters… whether it will be light snacks or proper desi food.Recalling the previous day’s indoor celebrations and the small exchanges that kept traditions alive across borders, she added, “My sister and I bought henna from a Pakistani shop earlier, and some gifts came through somebody from Pakistan. My grandparents sent gifts for me and my sisters.Yesterday we had indoor activities and a family gathering — it was a potluck party. Today it’s going to be outdoors as the weather is holding up.”Eid across the UAE: Messages of unity and 'safe hands' notes mark celebrationsWhen Eid Al Fitr was simpler: How celebrations in the UAE have changed

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Heavy rains, Mother's Day: How UAE residents spent second holiday of Eid Al Fitr

Rain across parts of the UAE brought a welcome change this Eid, offering a brief sense of ease amid ongoing regional tensions, and turning Day 2 into a more relaxed, unhurried celebration for many residents.

With cooler temperatures and overcast skies, families stepped out to parks, malls and cafés, making the most of the rare weather while extending festive moments beyond the first day's gatherings.

The occasion also coincided with Mother's Day in the UAE, adding an extra layer of warmth to the celebrations, as many families combined outings with gift shopping and time spent together.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

A slower Eid under cloudy skies

For Syrian expat Majd Al Khatib, the shift from a month of spiritual focus to festive outings felt especially meaningful. After days “centered around prayers and reading the Quran,” she said it was refreshing to step out and enjoy the mood, particularly with Mother’s Day, making it “extra special.”

“We’re at the mall picking out clothes, perfumes and little gifts for my mother and sisters. After a whole month of cooking at home, all the traditional recipes, because during Ramadan we don't like to order from outside... my 13-year-old daughter and I felt like a change, so we're planning to try something different for lunch — maybe American cuisine.
My 16-year-old son, however, isn't a fan of shopping at all, so he’s happily staying home with my mother while we do the rounds."

Celebrations stretch across borders

For many residents, Eid this year has stretched gently across borders, with celebrations flowing from one time zone into another, carried through phone calls, video chats and shared moments on screen.

Mariah Siddiqui captured this sense of continuity, describing how her day began not in the UAE, but virtually in India, where Eid was being celebrated. "With Eid being celebrated today in India, my morning began with a stream of calls and video chats from family back home, all checking in and sharing their celebrations," she said, adding that she had already sent them videos a day earlier "to reassure them that we’re safe in the UAE and enjoying and celebrating Eid here."

The connection, she said, made the distance feel smaller, as familiar sights and traditions travelled through screens. “It’s been heartwarming — seeing everyone dressed up, showing their mehendi, the children in traditional outfits — it truly feels like we’re celebrating together despite the distance,” she said, noting that the light rain and pleasant weather made the second day feel “more relaxed and unhurried."

Even as the day unfolds in the UAE, her celebrations continue in rhythm with those back home. “Yesterday was mostly for family gatherings, but today is about catching up with friends I couldn’t meet — we might step out for coffee or lunch,” she said, adding that she would still be on calls with relatives as their Eid day progresses. “It feels like the celebrations haven’t really ended — they’ve simply continued across borders, blending moments here with those back home.”

Outdoors, food and family time

Pakistani expat, Eman Malik said the pleasant, rainy weather had set the tone for a more relaxed Day 2 of Eid celebrations, with her family planning to head outdoors later in the day.

“We will be going for a BBQ to Mushrif Park or Mamzar Park. We are a total of three families and will go around 5-5.30pm. In the afternoon, we went out for lunch — the food depends on our choice, me and my sisters… whether it will be light snacks or proper desi food.

Recalling the previous day’s indoor celebrations and the small exchanges that kept traditions alive across borders, she added, “My sister and I bought henna from a Pakistani shop earlier, and some gifts came through somebody from Pakistan. My grandparents sent gifts for me and my sisters.

Yesterday we had indoor activities and a family gathering — it was a potluck party. Today it’s going to be outdoors as the weather is holding up.”