RIYADH: Saudi Arabia celebrated the first day of Eid Al-Fitr on Tuesday with prayers and festivities across the country.
The festival marks the end of the holy month of fasting and the public holidays, when combined with the weekend, give many people in the Kingdom plenty of time to enjoy with their families and friends.
Imams used their sermons to congratulate Muslims on the blessed occasion of Eid Al-Fitr and prayed to Allah that their fasting and good deeds would be accepted.
Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah were led by Royal Court Adviser and Grand Mosque Imam Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid.
There were more than a million worshippers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Among the congregation were Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman and Madinah Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Faisal.
In the capital the Eid prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque was attended by Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar and other members of the royal family. They congratulated people on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.
Prayers were held in more than 550 mosques in Riyadh and there were also designated areas set aside for worshippers.
Children pose for pictures after the Eid prayer. (SPA)
The capital’s main roads have been decked out with flags and banners bearing Eid greetings. There are also decorative lights and firework displays.
There are special arrangements at tourist attractions so that people can enjoy what the Kingdom has to offer.
Al Masmak Museum in Riyadh will be open to visitors throughout the holidays. Its director-general, Nasser Al-Oraifi, invited people to look around and learn more about the fort and its role in the Kingdom’s history.
He said the museum would be open from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m during the Eid holidays.
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is offering more than 80 different events for residents and visitors to enjoy during the Eid Season festival, which runs for five days across the country.
Theater lovers can pick and choose from 11 plays during Eid, including four to be held in the capital, that feature prominent artists from the Arab world.
The play “The World of Touch” is on in Riyadh schools for four days. “Amin and Company” stars Egypt’s Ahmed Amin and is being performed at Islamic education schools for the first three days of Eid.
“Antar the Filtered,” starring Kuwaiti artist Tariq Ali, is on at Princess Nourah University. “Over the Stanley Bridge,” starring Egypt’s Mohammed Saad, will be at Dar Al-Uloom University. Both plays will begin on the second day of Eid and last for three days.
The GEA is also organizing concerts for music fans. Riyadh will host a night featuring singers Angham and Rabeh Sakr at King Fahd Cultural Center on the second day of Eid.
A special show featuring singer Muhammad Abdu will be held in the Green Hall on the third day. Al-Ahsa’s Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium will host a concert by Abdullah Al-Ruwaished and Nawal Al-Zoghbi, who are making their debut in Saudi Arabia.
There will be circus shows for five days. Eloise Circus at Riyadh’s Alnakheel Mall, Rob Lake’s magic show will be staged in the Kingdom’s schools.
Hollywood Circus is being staged at King Abdullah Park at Dammam’s waterfront, Shadow Land can be enjoyed at Dhahran International Fair, Al-Dahsha Circus is on at Al-Ahsa’s Al-Rashid Square, and the African Circus will be held at Al-Taif’s Rudaf Park.
Children pose for pictures
after the Eid prayer. (SPA)
The Americano Circus will be hosted in Riyadh’s Granada Mall for five days, starting from the second day of Eid.
The seasons are an initiative from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the GEA, the General Culture Authority and the General Sports Authority.
There are 11 tourism seasons this year covering all regions of the Kingdom: The Eastern Region (Sharqiya) Season, Ramadan Season, Eid Al-Fitr Season, Jeddah Season, Ta’if Season, Eid Al-Adha Season, National Day Season, Riyadh Season, Diriyah Season, Al-Ula Season and Ha’il Season.
