Celebrating Eid with e-Gifts; New rules in Bahrain
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Due to the ongoing pandemic, people are exploring ways to exchange gifts and eidiya this year, predominantly through apps to send e-gifts.
An eidiya is hard to define. Its literal translation is “of Eid” and it is usually a money gift that children — and sometimes adults — receive on the morning of the first day of Eid, with amounts generally depending on one’s age.
Families often exchange gifts during this season, with children receiving money from family members. Muslims will also wear their best attire which is often newly bought for this special occasion.
They may give others new clothes to help everyone look their best for this important festival. Eid al-Fitr is Arabic for “holiday of breaking of the fast” and begins at sunset on the last night of Ramadan.
It marks the ending of a one-month fast when Muslims worldwide celebrate with festivities that last three days. Every single member of the family gets to shop for new clothes and shoes for Eid.
Shopping centres offer discounts to people looking for the best outfit to wear the next morning during prayer. Women usually gather in the eldest family members’ home to bake sweets—lots of sweets.
Pistachio cookies, Baklava, and many more desserts are prepared and set up in the dining room for the morning. Temporary henna hand tattoos are a symbol of celebration for women worn to accessorize their new outfits that will be worn the next morning for prayer.
Eid is also marked by generosity. Adults, family, and friends give cash to children, it is very common for young people to exchange gifts. Many people also use the occasion to give charitable donations to the poor and needy. Most importantly, Eid is about community. Eid Mubarak, which means “a blessed holiday” in Arabic, is a common greeting between Muslims during the holiday. Phones are flooded with cheerful and happy messages.
Young people compete in constant competition for the best Eid selfie or photo message. Family and friends gather after prayers to eat, with entire generations coming together to exchange gifts.
It is a tradition to visit the eldest family members’ home to celebrate with them and cheer them on, with sons and daughters bringing sweets and gifts.
Muslims also take time to visit their loved ones’ graves with fresh flowers and prayers to God to have mercy on the deceased. It is an act worthy of praise in the Muslim community and is a way for the living to remember the dead even amid days of celebration.
All these things combine to make Eid one of the most special, moving periods of the entire year. Hopefully, wherever people are celebrating Eid, they are doing so with sweets, selfies, and love.
New rules in Bahrain
Meanwhile, Bahraini officials have announced they will allow indoor gyms, swimming pools, cinemas and other attractions to open to vaccinated people and those who have recovered from coronavirus, officials have announced.
The end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr will mark the start of the new rules, said the National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus.
How Eid is celebrated?
Eid al-Fitr features two to three days of celebrations that include special morning prayers. People greet each other with “Eid Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Eid” and with formal embraces.
Sweet dishes are prepared at home and gifts are given to children and to those in need. They decorate their homes and prepare sumptuous meals for family and friends.
They prepare new clothes and shoes for the festival. Eid festivities in various countries may vary culturally depending on the region, but one common thread in all celebrations is generosity and hospitality. It is a common tradition for families to gather at the patriarchal home after the Eid prayers.
Before the special Eid meal is served, young children will line up in front of each adult family member, who dispense money as gifts to the children.
Things you should know
The National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has announced the procedures to be followed by vaccinated or recovered citizens, residents and visitors, for sectors to be re-opened from the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
To access services provided by re-opened sectors, all vaccinated citizens, residents within the Kingdom of Bahrain are required to provide proof of vaccination; by displaying their vaccinated green shield on the ‘BeAware Bahrain’application, and visitors can also use other official COVID-19 applications within the GCC as proof of vaccination or proof of recovery.
Visitors from other countries are also required to provide proof of vaccination by presenting an acceptance card of certified vaccination, provided upon arrival to the Kingdom.
Mosques in the Kingdom were temporarily hosting Friday prayers following COVID-19 guidelines. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that the Hajj will be held this year following health and safety requirements due to the pandemic.
The Hajj and Umrah Ministry said in a statement that Hajj will go ahead this year with all the health, security and regulatory standards and regulations in place in order to preserve the health and wellbeing of the pilgrims
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