From Qurbani to shared meals, UAE residents reflect on celebrating Eid while living abroad.
Dubai: Eid Al-Adha is one of the most important occasions in Islam. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, it commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage season. For many Muslims in the UAE—often living far from their home countries—the day blends faith, tradition, and a sense of community that has been built over years abroad.
What Eid Al-Adha is about
Unlike Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Eid Al-Adha is connected to Hajj and the ritual of Qurbani, the sacrifice of an animal in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion. The meat is traditionally divided into three parts: one for the family, one for friends and neighbours, and one for those in need. This practice places generosity and sharing at the heart of the celebration.
Teacher Juhi Danish Zariwala, based at Sharjah Indian School, describes the broader spirit of the day. “The focus is on forgiveness, mending relationships, and community,” she says. “Giving to charity is emphasised in both Eids, but it is built into the structure of the day.”
How the day begins
The morning of Eid Al-Adha begins with the Takbir, the recitation of “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah,” which echoes through the days surrounding Eid. Families dress in their finest clothes, often wearing new outfits when possible, before heading to the mosque or an open prayer ground for the special two-unit congregational prayer held in the morning.
After the prayer, visits begin. Homes open to family and friends, greetings of “Eid Mubarak” are exchanged, and the day takes on a warmth that is difficult to replicate at any other time of year. For many expatriate families in the UAE, this part of Eid may look different from celebrations back home, but the sense of connection and joy remains the same.
Choosing the Qurbani animal
For some families, preparations for Eid Al-Adha begin well before the day itself. Muhammad Asad and his son Orhan Uddin make it a tradition to go together to select their Udhiya, the sacrificial animal. Goat prices this season range between Dh1,500 and Dh1,800. For young Orhan, the visit is a highlight—he enjoys feeding and playing with the goats before the sacrifice, turning what might otherwise be a routine task into a meaningful and memorable part of the ritual.
It is the kind of experience that helps children develop an early, hands-on understanding of the tradition and what the occasion truly represents.
Arranging Qurbani from abroad
For those who prefer to organise Qurbani through a service, the Sharjah Cooperative Society is a trusted option among residents. Mohammad Khalid, originally from India, has been using their services for several years and speaks highly of the experience. “The process is smooth, well organised, and handled with great care and professionalism,” he says.
He has recommended it to friends as well, describing each experience as hassle-free and deeply satisfying. “It has always made us feel as comfortable and connected as we do back in our home countries,” he adds. For expatriates who want the Qurbani carried out correctly but cannot perform it themselves, such services provide both convenience and peace of mind.
Open doors and full tables
Tahseen, who has lived in Sharjah for over 15 years, arranges her Qurbani in India each year. However, her Eid in the UAE is far from quiet. She begins the day by hosting friends for breakfast at home, keeping her door open to visitors. It is a tradition she has maintained over the years and one that sets the tone for the rest of her celebrations.
Later, she goes out for dinner with her husband’s colleagues and her own friends—a community she has built over 15 years in Sharjah. The table is full, the conversation flows easily, and the evening continues unhurried, stretching on for as long as it naturally does.
It is a version of Eid that many UAE residents will recognise. While extended families may be thousands of kilometres away, the people gathered around the table become family in every meaningful sense. Living away from home often means building a new sense of belonging—and on Eid, that chosen community becomes the one you celebrate with.
