During the first three days of Eid, district mayors across the city reached out to residents by holding parties and social gatherings. “This is one of the things we have been doing to create a sense of community spirit among residents, something that has been weakened in recent times,” said one district mayor.
“Being a district mayor is a very old profession which our society is keen to maintain because of the numerous benefits that come with this institution. The mayor is the unknown soldier who keeps bonds and maintains contact with the residents of any district,” said Sami Muaabar, mayor of Al-Rusaifah district of Makkah.
“It is the mayor who brings residents together and resolves differences without the need to involve legal or security authorities. The mayor is an influential element in resolving family problems and keeping strong ties,” he added.
Muaabar said he is keen to hold regular meetings with residents during the first three days of Eid and that he prepares for these gatherings in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
“After we finish the Eid prayer, we exchange greetings and distribute candies and chocolates. In the evening of the second and third day, residents come to my office where we have friendly and cordial talks. We also have dinner together before dispersing around 10 p.m.,” he said.
Muaabar said wealthy residents and philanthropic people buy Eid clothes and other gifts to hand out to the poor in his district.
“People forget their differences when they come together on happy occasions. I saw two brothers hugging after being separated for many months over a family dispute,” he said.
Mahmoud Bittar, mayor of Al-Hijlah district, said the responsibility of mayors goes beyond issuing acknowledgment papers to citizens and informing them of summons and writs.
“Our duties include consolidating the social fabric and resolving differences,” he said.
Bittar recalled that there were times when mayors would replace the police in criminal cases. “
Mayors would sometimes ask criminals to go to the police and tell them that he was a prisoner of the mayor and the police would immediately keep him in custody until the mayor came,” he said.
Bittar said he has been keen to bring all the old and new residents of his district together during the first three days of Eid.
“I even invite those who have left our district to our gatherings in the Al-Bizrah (a spacious area where the mayor meets with fellow residents),” he said.
He added that he receives well-wishers from sunset until midnight and serves them tea, coffee and juice, before serving them dinner consisting of rice and meat.
“I coordinate with the district council to buy clothes for orphans and the needy, and to visit the old in their houses or at shelter homes,” he said.
Bittar added that foreign pilgrims also attend his gatherings as his office is very close to the central area around the Grand Mosque. “Locals who have gone on to live in other cities like Jeddah are keen to attend our Eid gatherings and meet their friends,” he said.
Zafir Al-Bishi, mayor of the city’s Al-Jumaizah district, said mayors have succeeded in what other humanitarian and social institutions have failed to do — bringing people together.
“Mayors play a pivotal role in keeping the society intact by enhancing solidarity among residents,” he said.
He recalled that two families in his district were not on speaking terms for many years due to some differences. “When they came to our gathering on Eid day, they embraced each other and buried their differences then and there,” he said.
