An exceptional Eid Al-Fitr celebration after two-year gap

Muscat: Eid Al Fitr is a gift to all Muslims, a reward for the good deeds and worship they perform during the month of Ramadan. On the advent of the Eid days, gaiety fills the hearts of elderly people and children alike, as they wear new dress with joy.

Eid Al Fitr this year is an exceptional event for the Muslim world in general and in the Sultanate of Oman, in particular, following two consecutive years of restrictions on account of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide.

On the occasion, all prayer areas and mosques opened their doors for performing prayers of Eid Al Fitr in all governorates of the Sultanate for  the most celebrated religious event of Mulisms . In the Sultanate’s various governorates, people have followed the precautionary measures while performing Eid prayers. Such measures included observing social distancing and wearing of masks. The preaching of Eid Al Fitr prayer came as a reward for fasting the month of Ramadan.

Before the Eid prayer, people give away alms ( Zakat) to the poor and needy families in compliance with the Sunna of the Prophet(PBUH) .

On the first day of Eid Al Fitr, citizens in the various governorates perform various rituals. Some slaughter their sheep and cattle in preparation for the upcoming days of Eid Al Fitr. On the first day of Eid Al Fitr, they start with Al Oursiya meal and some offer Al Migla’ai or Al Mihmas, a famous Omani dish prepared with liver, meat and flavoured spices. Omani Halwa is also served to guests in almost every house during the Eid days.

During the first day of Eid Al Fitr, children are given Eidiya (amount of money) which depicts the meaning of giving and cements the concept of Sadaqa / alms-giving in their minds and hearts. On the morning of the second day of Eid Al Fitr, families gather together to prepare for a special meal of Barbecue ( Mishkak), where the meat is kept in Tannour/ overn, kept in a hole with the depth of 3 to 4 metres and taken out of Tannours on the third day of Eid Al Fitr. Then, the meal is shared with neighbours and relatives.

It is worth mentioning that the Supreme Committee had earlier issued decisions including a ban on those not vaccinated to enter the mosques for Eid prayers as well as prohibiting children aged under 12 from the same. The Supreme Committee also decided a ban on organising all events and gatherings at public sitting halls, mainly the gatherings for collective Eid celebrations and called for observing the precautionary measures. —ONA