All About Eid in Qatar | ExpatWoman.com
 

All About Eid in Qatar

As Qatar is a muslim state, they celebrate 2 Eids, so make sure you take note as we have identified the differences...

Posted on

22 July 2013

Last updated on 15 June 2017
All About Eid in Qatar

The Traditions of Eid
Eid is a time where families spend time together and exchange gifts and worship. There are two celebrations of Eid each year namely Eid Ul Fitr, celebrated at the sighting of the new moon that marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Ul Adha that is celebrated during the 12th month of the Hijra calendar and coincides with the Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah.

Eid Ul Fitr is the celebration to commence the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan and lasts three days. There is definitely a change of atmosphere during the time of Eid in the UAE; it is a time for celebration and reflection. The common Eid greeting is Eid Mubarak; this is a phrase that you will hear often during Eid. It is considered polite to greet all by saying Eid Mubarak.

In a Muslim household it is normal for the family to go shopping for new clothes as you are expected to be dressed in your best garments at this holy time, usually three sets of clothing are purchased for the three days of Eid. It is important to wear perfume and show cleanliness with regards to both your personal hygiene and home. It is also customary for the women to decorate their hands with Henna during this time and you will see some very beautiful and elaborate designs adorning the hands of many women.

Women often clean their houses so that they are spotless and spend many hours cooking in anticipation of the family meal. The houses are also decorated with pretty lights and the words “Eid Mubarak” are hung up around the home. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance and you will rarely see a dirty car during this time.

Typically the first day of Eid is commenced with a pre-dawn prayer followed by a breakfast of sweets and dates. People then wash and dress in their best clothes in order to attend prayer at the Mosque. Muslims are expected to give Zakat al Fitr as alms for the Ramadan month before they enter the Mosque. This is in addition to the Zakat that they are expected to give as a charitable donation throughout the year. It is very similar to giving tithe in the Christian faith.

Once all the religious obligations have been fulfilled at the Mosque, the families will ask for forgiveness from any that they have wronged, or they will give forgiveness to any wrongdoers. It is a time for starting anew. The families will then gather for a big lunch, dressed in their best. This is traditionally very important as they are showing unity as a family. At this time gifts will be exchanged, most commonly gifts of money are given to the children of the family. It is also traditional for children to go to the neighbors, knock on the doors and say Eid Mubarak and receive some money as a gift from the neighbors.

Eid Ideas
If you yourself are not fasting but have a colleague that is, it is a nice idea to buy them some chocolate or dates for their family. Remember to say Eid Mubarak when you give it to them. Small details like this will be much appreciated. If you have friends with small children, give them a gift of money, it can be a token sum and does not have to put you in a huge amount of debt. These gifts excite the children about their religion and it teaches them care and attention to detail.

What to do on your 3 days off
Take the family to Katara Cultural Village
Immerse yourself in culture at Katara Cultural Village. See some art or a live performance. Take the whole family for some rest, relaxation and education all the while having a great time at this incredible venue that offers everything from calligraphy workshops to classic movies.

Go camping in the desert
While the days are still scorching the desert is really beautiful at night. It cools down enough for you and your friends to enjoy a nice evening barbecue. Bring the kids and make camp in the desert, tell them old traditional stories from your home countries and let them be culturally enlightened. You can lay a blanket out and watch the night skies, try to catch a glimpse of a falling star or just revel in the beauty of the milky way.

Learn Arabic
Eid is a great time to make resolutions, why not sign up for some Arabic language courses. Knowing Arabic is a great business tool, and having the ability to communicate with the Arabic people residing in Qatar will be a welcomed gesture.

Take a short trip to another country

Eid is a time of family and reflection, taking a trip to another country within the Gulf will open your eyes more to their traditions and cultures. Most Gulf nations are a mere hour’s flight from Qatar and many airlines have Eid offers on including flights and stays. Countries that you could visit include the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

You could also opt to explore one of the countries that are less than four hours flight from Qatar. Explore the cultural magnificence of Nepal and hike up the base of Mount Everest, or get involved with the Nepalese culture and see the hundred year old temples. Visit India for some traditional, spicy food, beautiful saris and fruitful markets.

Go to Sri Lanka and see the elephant sanctuaries or laze on their beautiful beaches. Drink cocktails under the starry skies in the Seychelles.

The possibilities for a mini break are endless and will not cost you an arm and a leg this summer as most airlines in the region are having their summer sales at the moment.

Have an Eid Lunch with your nearest and dearest
You can do all of the above or you can keep it simple and gather family and close friends for a traditional Eid lunch or dinner. Many restaurants have Eid specials on during this time with lavish buffets and tasty dinners. Just remember to book in advance as restaurants can be booked up well in advance.

Whatever you choose to do this Eid remember that it is a special time for the Islamic communities around the world. Wherever you choose to spend those three days recall the greeting and wish everyone you meet a blessed Eid Mubarak.