As Eid Al Fitr tactics, many expatriates dwelling in the UAE eagerly count on celebrations with their families and groups. However, for the ones from battle-ridden countries, this time of joy is tinged with sorrow, as they grapple with separation from their loved ones and uncertainty approximately their homelands.
The Pain of Separation
For Assad Ahmed, a young Palestinian expat who has never visited Gaza, the festivities are overshadowed with the aid of deep anxiety. “The feeling is unknown to me. Now, with the truce collapsed, I’m no longer certain if there’s even Eid in Gaza this year,” he lamented. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza has introduced devastation, claiming over four hundred lives and leaving many injured or trapped below rubble. Instead of making festive plans, Assad and others like him remain glued to their telephones, determined for information about their families.
“I’ve by no means been to Gaza for Eid,” said the Dubai resident. “Instead of planning which gifts to carry to my own family, I’m just attached to my smartphone, hoping to hear they’re alive.”
This emotional burden is shared with the aid of countless others who have been displaced with the aid of battle and political instability. Unlike other residents who can pick out in which they rejoice Eid, these expats haven’t any such privilege.
A Syrian Expat’s Longing for Home
Ghassan Aboud, a 51-year-old Syrian expat, has lived inside the UAE for 21 years but nevertheless dream of returning to his homeland of Aleppo for Eid. “I’m pretty sure so much has modified, but the spirit is the same,” he stated. “Eid in Syria became a time of joy—all and sundry would acquire in homes filled with laughter, and the aroma of scrumptious meals might be everywhere. My mom might make the quality kibbeh and baklava.”
His son, Ahmed, who changed into born and raised in the UAE, has never set foot in Syria however shares his father’s longing. “I’ve constantly dreamt of spending Eid in my place of birth,” he admitted. “We try as a good deal as we can to make it feel like home, with my mother cooking and family and friends gathering.”
With Syria’s political landscape remaining unsure because the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024, Ahmed stays hopeful that someday he will be able to experience Eid in a non violent Aleppo.
Regret and Nostalgia
While some expats are unable to return to their nations due to war, others regret missing past possibilities to have fun Eid of their homelands. Yasir, a Sudanese expat dwelling in Sharjah, now needs he had spent Eid in Sudan earlier than the ongoing disaster engulfed his country.
“I were going lower back to Sudan every year before 2023, but in no way in the time of Eid,” he said. “I always move during New Year’s time as it’s while all and sundry returns home. But now, I regret no longer being there for Eid. I wish I had made the effort.”
He reminisces about the traditions that made Eid in Sudan unique: “After the Eid prayer, we might went every other’s homes, exchanging greetings and taking part in ‘Eid iftar.’ Every residence had its personal special dishes, and I miss the sweet that my aunts would make. The smell of incense—‘bakhoor’—wafting through the streets become simply unforgettable.”
Instead of experiencing those cherished moments in person, Yasir now follows updates approximately Sudan by social media. “The army forces are tightening their grip on Khartoum, and many areas are still in chaos. War is ugly, however I stay hopeful that during Eid Al Adha, I can finally go back home.”
A Shared Experience of Loss and Hope
For many expats from struggle-torn nations, Eid is a time of mixed emotions. While they try to recreate traditions within the UAE, the absence of home, own family, and familiarity is deeply felt. Whether through video calls, social media, or small celebrations with fellow expats, they try to stay linked to their roots.
Despite the hardships, hope persists. Expats like Assad, Ghassan, Ahmed, and Yasir preserve to dream of the day they could go back to their homelands and have a good time Eid as they once did or as they have got always imagined. Until then, they preserve onto the recollect, memories, and traditions that make Eid special, no matter where they’re.
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