DAMMAM, 24 February — People in the Eastern Province continued to celebrate Eid Al-Adha the second day running and crowds at government abattoirs remained unabated as hundreds of Muslims queued up to offer animal sacrifice.
The sale of sacrificial animals at Dammam livestock market was still brisk and traders expected that it would continue till Sunday. The prices however came down a little, with local sheep Naimi, Najdi and Baladi registering a 10 percent decline.
Residents and citizens were celebrating Eid in traditional style. Picnickers jam-packed Half Moon Beach and Dammam Corniche, where the municipality has erected special tents and made other arrangements. Cultural and literary clubs organized musical and cultural programs.
However, there was a visible decline in tourists from bordering towns as well as the Gulf countries. As a result, rates at furnished apartments remained stable, though hotels reported near total occupancy. Five-star hotels like Le Gulf Meridien, Dhahran International, Sheraton Towers and Holiday Inn had special Eid packages for tourists. They also organized programs for children.
The market remained closed except for the major shopping malls. Rashid Mall and Al-Khobar Mall in Al-Khobar and Waha Mall in Dammam drew huge crowds as they organized special programs to mark Eid.
Meanwhile, authorities are making arrangements for the return of foreign pilgrims from the holy land. The Passports Department will put extra personnel at border points in Khafji, King Fahd Causeway and Sila to expedite the exit of the pilgrims.
