After two years of health restrictions on gatherings, people in the Sultanate of Oman, like most parts of the world, are all set to enjoy a near-normal Eid al Fitr next week.
Although caution is the buzzword, people are already in a festive mood as they are preparing to bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadhan and the nine-day-long holiday period which begins on Friday.
“Believers are happy that they can go to mosques, pray together and have an atmosphere of celebration as we used to have earlier. So we’re looking forward to that,” said Nasser al Wahaibi, who is associated with the functioning of a mosque in Ruwi.
This year, said Nasser, people are having two celebrations – one for Eid al Fitr and another for the freedom to come together after two years.
“We’re really thankful to the Almighty that the pandemic situation is better; though it has not completely gone, it is better,” he told the Observer.
For the past two years, due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, traditions like mass Eid prayers, gatherings and meeting family and friends for meals were banned throughout the region.
However, Eid prayers have to be restricted to worshippers who have taken two doses of the vaccine, while entry to the prayer grounds is prohibited for unvaccinated and children aged below 12 years of age.
As the date of Eid al Fitr, which is often called the Festival of Breaking the Fast, depends on the sighting of the moon, it is a time of celebration after accomplishing one of the most important religious duties: fasting during the month of Ramadhan.
Traditionally, male family members start the day by participating in the dawn prayers at the nearby mosque, while women start their day by offering prayers at home. They then start preparing the delicacies for the day-long feast, which begins with serving a sweet dish made with milk to all.
The ancient practice of Eid habtas, which are common during Eid to purchase livestock and other commodities, has also returned in several wilayats.
At the same time, the long Eid holidays have come as a pleasant bonanza for people as the five-day official holidays from May 1 to 5 fall between two weekends, enabling people to enjoy a total nine-day holiday from April 29 till May 7.
Citizens residing in Muscat and residents have started leaving for their respective hometowns to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. The pent-up demand for travel is contributing to higher airfares.
Travel and tour operators are active with lucrative tourism packages for both international and domestic travel, while hotels and resorts have started floating special Eid staycation packages at special rates.
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