JEDDAH: At least 14 million SMS messages have been sent by subscribers of telecom companies in the Kingdom on Saturday evening to exchange Eid Al-Fitr greetings soon after the confirmation of the sighting of Shawwal crescent, unofficial reports said.
The messages were sent before Eid Al-Fitr prayers that took place at open grounds and mosques in various parts of the country, drawing large crowds of worshippers including expatriates.
There were a total of 175 Eid congregations in Jeddah, including 74 in the center of the city, 51 in the north and 50 in the south.
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Masoud, a Taif judge, led prayers at an open ground near the Holiday Inn hotel in Jeddah’s Kilo 3. He urged the faithful to strengthen family bonds, do good deeds for parents and sympathize with the poor and the needy.
Maj. Gen. Ali bin Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, director of Jeddah police, said his department had deployed security officers all over the city, especially near shopping malls, recreation centers, and parks in order to ensure security of citizens and residents.
He urged the public to follow security and safety regulations and etiquette.
A large number of Saudis and expatriates were seen camped along the Corniche to spend the Eid night with their friends and relatives. Sami Nawar, director of tourism and culture at the Jeddah municipality, said a variety of cultural programs would be held in different parts of the city during the Eid holidays.
In the Eastern Province, Eid was celebrated with traditional fervor. Eid prayers were offered in many mosques in Alkhobar, Dammam, Jubail, Dhahran and Al-Ahsa.
The main Eid congregation in the province was held at Eid grounds in Gharnata district where Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Fahd attended the prayers along with a large number of Saudis and expatriates.
The weather was rather humid. As evening wore on families with children dressed in their Eid best converged on the Half Moon Beach. At the beach itself it was an atmosphere of fun and frolic. The aroma of barbecue wafted in the air. People were seen greeting each other and offering Eid Mubarak. At times, perfect strangers were seen striking conversations and wanting to know the welfare of Muslims at large.
— With input from Siraj Wahab in Dammam
