The Revolution / Ibrahim Al-Qaridi
The blessed Eid Al-Adha comes every year, bringing with it notes of faith and spirituality that bring reassurance and tranquility to souls. It is not like other days, but rather a great religious and social occasion in which the meanings of love, compassion, tolerance, and family ties are evident, and its atmosphere exudes the scent of goodness and sincere human communication. In Sana’a Governorate, as in various Yemeni governorates, Eid maintains its special place in people’s conscience, as it embodies the authentic customs and traditions that Yemenis have inherited from generation to generation, starting with family visits, exchanging congratulations, and bringing joy to the hearts of children, all the way to manifestations of social solidarity and concern for the poor and needy.
To shed light on the atmosphere of Eid and citizens’ impressions of this great religious occasion, Al-Thawra conducted a number of press interviews with social, administrative and media figures, during which they talked about the connotations of Eid and the most prominent customs and traditions associated with it, in addition to the societal and national messages that Eid Al-Adha carries. Here are the details:
The beginning was with Brother Ibrahim Hamid Al-Din – Director of the Quality and Qualification Department at the Office of the General Authority for Zakat in Sana’a Governorate, who confirmed that the Eid is a divine ritual and a divine gift to the Islamic nation, indicating that glorifying God’s rituals represents a manifestation of piety and faith. He explained that the days of Eid should be days of obedience and remembrance of God Almighty, and not merely days of amusement or preoccupation with formal appearances, citing the words of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali, peace be upon him: “Every day in which God is not disobeyed is an Eid.” He pointed out that the Yemeni people are distinguished by great customs and traditions during the days of Eid, the most prominent of which are maintaining family ties, visiting relatives, and showing joy and pleasure, in addition to visiting the kindergartens of the martyrs in gratitude for their sacrifices for the sake of defending the homeland and the dignity of the nation. He added that one of the most important humanitarian duties during this occasion is to promote the spirit of social solidarity and support the poor and needy, pointing to the role played by the General Authority of Zakat in providing cash, in-kind and medical assistance to poor families, which contributes to alleviating their suffering and bringing joy to their hearts during the blessed days of Eid.
He also called for the need to strengthen internal cohesion and community awareness, pay attention to paying zakat, and support those stationed on the fronts of pride and dignity, by running Eid convoys and supporting the homeland’s defenders.
For his part, journalist Abdul Wahed Al-Darrab spoke about the social and humanitarian dimensions of Eid, stressing that Eid Al-Adha represents a true joy that enters the hearts of everyone, old and young, men and women, despite the difficult circumstances that Yemen is going through as a result of the aggression and siege.
He pointed out that the celebrations witnessed by the Yemeni governorates reflect the steadfastness of the Yemeni people and their adherence to life and hope, explaining that Yemeni society is rich in customs, traditions and cultural heritage, the most prominent of which are family visits, the exchange of congratulations and meetings in the villages, in addition to many families heading to the countryside to spend the Eid holiday amid the warm natural and social atmosphere.
Eid celebrations
He explained that one of the most prominent features of Eid in Yemen is what is known as “Asab Al-Eid,” which is a widespread social custom, especially in the capital, Sana’a, in addition to the great interest in family ties and accompanying children on greeting visits, which enhances the values of love and communication among members of society.
He stressed that on Eid day, Yemenis embody the most wonderful images of tolerance, brotherhood, and purity of hearts, as feelings of love and harmony overcome all challenges and difficult circumstances, so that Eid joy remains a prominent symbol of the steadfastness of the Yemeni people and their adherence to their authentic values.
The spirit of solidarity
In turn, Brother Abdul Karim Al-Salami, Director General of Human Resources in Sana’a Governorate, explained that Eid represents a great occasion for joy, happiness, tolerance and social communication, pointing out that family ties are among the religious values urged by Islam and recommended by the Holy Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family.
He pointed out that Sana’a Governorate is working during these days to prepare a Eid convoy in support of the heroes stationed on the fronts of pride and dignity, under the guidance and follow-up of the governorate’s leadership and with the participation of the executive offices and all directorates of the governorate, as an expression of loyalty and appreciation for the sacrifices made by the stationed in defense of the homeland and its sovereignty.
He stressed that these Eid convoys reflect the spirit of national solidarity and concern for members of the armed and security forces stationed on various fronts, asking God to bring this occasion back to Yemen with security, stability and victory.
Promoting the values of tolerance
At the conclusion of the meetings, Brother Abdul-Jalil Hussein Abdul-Rahman Al-Qardi, Director of the Office of Industry and Trade in Manakhah Directorate, spoke, expressing his congratulations to the Yemeni people on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, wishing that goodness, peace and stability would spread throughout the country. He pointed out that Eid represents an occasion for joy and happiness, promoting the values of tolerance and rejecting hatred and malice, stressing the importance of visiting family and relatives and maintaining family ties, as this has a great reward and a positive impact on the cohesion of society. He also extended his congratulations on this occasion to the political and revolutionary leadership and the armed and security forces, asking God to grant Yemen the blessing of security, stability and victory.
A symbol of giving
For his part, Brother Abdul Mohsen Hamoud Al-Sharif, Director General of the Youth and Sports Office in Sana’a Governorate and Chairman of the Arab Youth Forum in Yemen, confirmed that Eid Al-Adha is a unifying occasion for Muslims in which the meanings of faith, solidarity and compassion are embodied. He explained that the sacrifice represents a symbol of giving and social solidarity, as it is distributed according to the Prophet’s guidance among the family of the sacrificer, relatives, the poor and the needy, which contributes to strengthening the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood within society.
He added that the Yemenis, despite the siege and difficult circumstances, continue to celebrate Eid in a high spirit of faith and patriotism by supporting those stationed on the front lines, visiting them, and providing Eid convoys to them, which reflects the greatness, steadfastness and steadfastness of the Yemeni people. He pointed out that family and Eid visits represent an important milestone for strengthening social ties and embodying the brotherhood of faith rooted deep in Yemeni society and its ancient civilizational history. The days of Eid al-Adha remain an occasion in which the meanings of love, tolerance and compassion are renewed and in which the authenticity of Yemeni society and its adherence to its religious, social and national values are evident despite all the challenges, so that the Eid remains a symbol of joy, hope and solidarity among the people of one nation.
