JEDDAH: Eid is a time when families get together and celebrate a month of fasting and doing good deeds. It is an occasion that brings mixed emotions to expatriates whose families are back home in their native countries. All say that despite being away from their families during Eid, being able to visit the holy cities offers solace.

Pakistani brothers Omar and Deedar Mistawi say that after the morning Eid prayer they call their family in Pakistan and wish them “Eid Mubarak.”

“I miss my family a lot especially on Eid day, but I feel consoled that I’m close to the two holy cities,” said Deedar.

“We are close to Makkah and Madinah and this means a lot to us,” said Omar. “After calling my family and talking to them and hearing my children’s voices on the phone, I feel happy.”

The brothers said on the day of Eid they visit friends and have biriyani for lunch, along with other traditional dishes.

Abdullah Sierra, whose parents and young son are back home in the Philippines, says that on the day of Eid he feels both sad and happy. “I feel happy because it’s a beautiful celebration shared by all Muslims, but I feel sad that my family are far away at such a wonderful time,” he said.

Sierra says the first thing he does on Eid is to join the prayer congregation. Then he gives some money to the poor.

Abdul Ghaffour from India says that no celebration can be complete without one’s loved ones, but since he is so far away from home working to provide a better future for his children he tries to keep his spirits up. “But what gives me a lot of comfort is that I can visit Makkah and Madinah,” he said. “And I always celebrate Eid by doing Umrah.”

Bangladeshi Mohammed Ussal says that without family Eid is hard, but he still finds joy because he would rather think that through the love they share for each other they are with him in his heart. He starts Eid with the morning Eid prayer and then calls his family. “I also miss my country and the Eid traditions there,” he said.

Syrian national Mustafa Abad says Eid isn’t the same without being back home to celebrate with local traditions.

“My wife and children are here with me, but it’s still not the same,” he said. “I miss the Eid tradition in Syria and my extended family there. In Syria even people on the street who don’t know you wish you Eid. Only my children are really happy on Eid because they are unaware of these things, and they receive gifts.”

Ehaab Ahmed Eid, an Egyptian, says that on Eid he misses his family get-togethers.

“In Egypt the whole family always gets together, even if it’s a one-bedroom flat,” he said. “You can find families all coming together to wish each other and just be happy with each other’s presence rather than gifts.”

“But I’m very happy that I’m close to Makkah and Madinah,” he added. “Many people in Egypt work very hard to earn money to visit the holy cities. I thank Allah Almighty that I am here.”