Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Thousands of people offered Eid Al Adha prayers in the early morning hours in Jeddah at mosques and temporarily erected Musallahs across the city. Many mosques and Musallahs witnessed less crowd of people compared to the previous years.

They congregated in the early dawn hours and spent time by reciting Talbiyah and waiting for the sunrise to begin prayers.

Many expatriates who attended the prayers recalled the times when they had celebrated Eid with their loved ones back home.

Pakistani expatriate Mohammed Saleem, 45, said, “We miss the rite of sacrifice, which is the main feature of Eid Al Adha.” He added that he sent money back home to fulfill this rite on behalf of him.

Indian expatriate Mohammed Abdulaziz, 28, said that missing family and friends on such occasions is acute and lessens the flavor of Eid. Abdulaziz, who works as house driver, said he is new to Kingdom and is missing home.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance identified 362 mosques and locations to erect Musallahs in coordination with Jeddah Municipality for prayer arrangements.

The total number was 371 during Eid Al Fitr, which came down to 362 for Eid Al Adha.

It was evident that among the crowd there were lesser numbers of Asian expatriate and their families as many had left for home for holidays and also for good. Also most of the Saudi families have opted to spend Eid in the countryside or outside the Kingdom.