Eid in Dubai always surprises me. Back home in my village, we didn’t have Muslims or very few, so Eid was something I only saw on TV or heard about when passing through town. Imagine my surprise when I came to Dubai and found the whole city celebrating like it was hosting the World Cup.

The first thing you notice is the shine. Everything seems determined to outshine itself. Buildings that already sparkle somehow sparkle even more. The malls open early, close late and greet everyone with “Eid Mubarak” and discounts that make you question every shopping plan you had.

You walk in to buy toothpaste and somehow leave with an air fryer. Wallah, Dubai knows how to tempt you. Khalas, all my fulus are gone.( all my money finish)

Then there are the people. Mashallah! Men in spotless white kanduras, women in elegant abayas and children dressed like little celebrities ready for the biggest day of the year. Everywhere you look there are smiling faces, family photos and happy reunions. You can’t help but think, “Eh, these people really know how to celebrate.”

Even though I’m not Muslim, I still feel the spirit of the day. The morning seems calmer. The city feels softer. The smell of oud drifts through the air, families walk together and everywhere you go you hear “Eid Mubarak.” For a moment, even as a visitor to the celebration you feel included in the joy.

Then, like it always does, the expat reality gently taps you on the shoulder.

You think about home. Your mother calling your name from the kitchen, neighbours chatting across the fence and the simple rhythm of village life. For a moment you realise just how far you’ve come. Home is thousands of kilometres away but somehow it still feels close.

So you create your own little celebration.Maybe you call home, maybe you treat yourself to a nice meal,maybe you simply take a walk and soak in the atmosphere. Restaurants are full of families sharing meals while I find myself smiling at strangers who smile back. Nothing extravagant, just my own quiet way of saying Alhamdulillah. Life is moving and so am I.

By evening the city glows with lights and laughter. Families head home with full hearts while I walk a little slower smiling to myself. Eid in Dubai doesn’t replace home. It simply becomes another chapter in my journey, another reminder that even far from where I started, life has a beautiful way of giving you new traditions to treasure.