JEDDAH, 19 December 2007 — Citizens and expatriates across Saudi Arabia are fully geared up for today's Eid Al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, which marks the end of annual Haj.

In Jeddah and elsewhere in the Kingdom, full preparations have been made for today's Eid prayers. All mosques and public places have been geared up for receiving tens of thousands of men, women and children to attend Eid prayers.

"We have been preparing for this for the whole week," said Khaled Al-Zuabi, a Jeddah businessman. Many other citizens and expatriates echoed his statement.

A lot of preparations go with Eid. Houses bustle with cooking and cleaning. And new clothes are a must. Charity and exchanging gifts are a normal practice during the festival.

Last minute shopping for clothes and gifts was in evidence especially yesterday and in the previous few days. Malls and supermarkets were particularly crowded with shoppers doing their purchases for the festival. "Food and foodstuffs have been in great demand," said Abdul Majeed, a supervisor at Panda Hypermarket in Jeddah's old airport area.

"Eid Al-fitr and Eid Al- Adha are the festive seasons when we do nearly 70 percent of our annual business," a shopkeeper in Balad area said. Meat and bakery items were in great demand. Gold shops were, however, devoid of a great number of visitors. The thin turnout was attributed to the rising cost of the precious metal.

"Various branded stores at shopping malls had many visitors purchasing gifts for their near and dear ones," a spokesman for Jeddah's Serafi Mall said.

Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indian expatriates crowded the shops along Kababish, Sharafiah and Bani Malek areas for their festival needs. "It is customary for husbands, fathers and brothers to get glass bangles for the ladies in their families. Applying 'mehandi' (henna) to the hands for women and girls is also customary for the occasion," Heena Rana, a Pakistanii housewife said.

There was also a last minute rush at tailor shops to pick up new dresses. Others visited various textile shops and boutiques to find the perfect outfit for the occasion.

Getting clothes made is a big deal for Pakistani women — and men as well. Orders are placed months in advance to make sure the clothes will be ready for Eid. Shops stay open late and there is hardly enough room to walk around. Elated people race against the clock to get everything done. It is the most exciting part of Eid for many.

The King Abdul Aziz International airport was crowded especially in the past one week with the residents leaving for destinations elsewhere in the Kingdom or abroad. Those staying behind were planning for spending the Eid holiday at home and taking children for an outing on the Corniche.