JEDDAH, 12 February 2003 — Muslims performed special prayers throughout the Kingdom early yesterday as Saudi Arabia led the Islamic world in celebrating Eid Al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.
In their joint message to the nation on the occasion, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, called on Muslims to “build bridges of mercy and compassion and harmony”.
The king and the crown prince highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts for the welfare and security of pilgrims who come to the holy places to perform Haj and Umrah.
“We take this opportunity to extend our Eid greetings to the Saudis, pilgrims and Muslims all over the world,” they said and hoped that the Eid would herald a new era of peace and progress for the Muslim world.
In Makkah, pilgrims joined their fellow Muslims in performing Eid prayers at the Holy Mosque.
Dr. Osama ibn Abdullah Khayyat, imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque who led the prayers, urged the faithful to close their ranks, adhere to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah (the Prophet’s teachings), and obey their rulers.
“Disobedience of the leaders leads to sedition and turmoil as well as dangerous repercussions,” he added.
At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Abdul-Bari Al-Thubeiti, Imam of the mosque, said Eid should be a joyous occasion.
“Not only the rich people, but also the poor are happy on Eid day, which is also an occasion for closing the ranks of Muslims and enhancing the pillars of their solidarity.”
The prayers were attended by Madinah Governor Prince Muqrin.
In Riyadh, Governor Prince Salman joined citizens and expatriates in offering prayers on the old Eid ground.
The prayers were also attended by several members of the royal family, religious scholars and ministers.
Thousands of Muslims congregated on 20 Eid grounds and 352 Jamia mosques there to offer prayers.
The prayers on the old Eid ground were led by Sheikh Abdulmohsen ibn Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, who called upon Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam and Sunnah in their daily lives.
Pointing out that Muslims were being humiliated everywhere, Sheikh Abdulmohsen called upon the Ummah to imbibe the true spirit of Islam in order to face the challenges ahead.
Later, Prince Salman exchanged Eid greetings with members of the royal family and citizens at the governorate.
The capital wore a deserted look due to various factors. Apart from those away on vacation, the ongoing World Cup Cricket Tournament in South Africa confined most of the expatriates to their homes, while other citizens and expatriates headed to Jeddah and Dammam to meet their friends and relatives.
In Jeddah, expatriates in their thousands joined citizens in offering Eid prayers early in the morning.
Jeddah’s 80-km Corniche was later thronged by families of citizens and expats to celebrate Eid. Some families put up tents to spend the whole night on the beach.
There was hectic activity in the beach areas dotted with cottages as families drove there looking for accommodation.
“I’ve been looking for a cottage for my family, but I find it expensive,” Mohammed Ali Al-Esawi, a young management executive, said.
“SR600 a night is too much for me,” he said while setting up camp at the beach opposite Albilad Hotel.
Most Western expatriates spent the day along the Corniche camping and scuba diving.
“This is the best time to go scuba diving so I want to make full use of my vacation. I hardly find time otherwise, as my marketing job in a courier company keeps me busy,” said David Turner, 28, who comes from Middlesex, England.
African and subcontinent expats spent the evening exchanging family visits and driving to the beach.
“Eid is the best time for families to socialize. We’ve lined up quite a few exchange of family visits until this weekend,” said Ibrahim Bouh, a middle-aged Sudanese accounts executive.
Earlier in the day, a Cricket World Cup match between Australia and Pakistan kept most of the cricket fans in general and Pakistanis in particular indoors. Those from the subcontinent were glued to their TV sets watching the match.
Aside from supermarkets, shops remained closed for the whole day. But polyclinics and hospitals had emergency staff on hand.
In the Eastern Province, Governor Prince Mohammed ibn Fahd joined hundreds of Muslims at Dammam Central Mosque early in the day to offer Eid prayers.
In his sermon the Imam of the mosque prayed for world peace and prosperity and called upon the Ummah to forge unity and to strengthen their faith.
Eid prayers were offered at several places in Dammam, Alkhobar, Thuqba, Bayouni, Jubail, Al-Ahsa, Khafji and Sihat.
After prayers people rushed to authorized slaughter houses at various locations to offer animals in sacrifice.
In Dammam, there was complete chaos early in the day and the police had to intervene to bring order. Slaughter houses in Alkhobar and Jubail said everything had gone according to plan.
Through out the day, the streets of the twin cities Alkhobar and Dammam as well as markets were deserted as people remained indoors to celebrate with family members.
— Reporting by Javid Hassan in Riyadh, Saeed Haider in Dammam & K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah
