Everything you need to know about Eid Al Adha 2022

The dates of the Islamic festival Eid Al Adha 2022 are out! The International Astronomical Centre announced that Saturday, July 9, 2022, will likely be the first day of Eid Al Adha in most Islamic countries worldwide, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan. Observers from these countries will venture to spot the crescent moon on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The four-day break to mark the festival in the UAE begins one day before Eid, known as the Day of Arafah. This year, the day will likely fall on Friday, July 8, 2022 – marking a long weekend.

In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we will learn more about Eid Al Adha and explore various preventive measures that can help keep you healthy while traveling abroad for the holidays.

What is Eid Al Adha?

Eid Al Adha translates to “Festival of Sacrifice,” and the festival commemorates Prophet Abraham, Hagar, and Ismail’s trust in God. While the first of the two holidays, Eid Al Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Adha marks the end of Hajj – the last of the five pillars. Note that, Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Therefore, any healthy Muslim who can travel must perform Hajj once in their lifetime.

Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al Adha even though the Hajj pilgrimage only takes place in specific geographic locations.

How is Eid Al Adha Celebrated? 

Eid Al Adha’s celebrations include: Dressing up, charity, attending Eid prayer, enjoying a feast, and more. Additionally, on this day, halal red meat is donated to needy Muslims. Unfortunately, for many Muslims worldwide, it’s one of the few times of the year they have a chance to enjoy meat dishes.

Eid Al Adha 2022: Traveling for the holidays

With a long weekend in sight and global travel normalizing, many UAE residents are flying abroad for the summer. However, doctors have advised caution and urged travelers to follow specific precautions while traveling. According to medical professionals in the UAE, the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in several countries around the world indicates that the latest strain of the virus is highly contagious.

Dr. Fiaz Ahmed, MD Infection Control Department, Thumbay University Hospital, said, “despite the current strain of COVID-19 being relatively mild compared to previous ones, it could still be dangerous for people with co-morbid conditions”. He and other medical professionals in the country suggested that travelers must carefully evaluate all the risk factors and avoid traveling if they are not vaccinated. Moreover, the doctors advised residents not to travel if they are sick or have a cough or fever.

Here’s a list of precautionary measures that can help keep you and your family healthy and safe while traveling:

• Wash or sanitize hands frequently (with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer)
• Always wear a mask
• Maintain social distance
• Avoid contact with anyone that is sick or has the COVID-19 symptoms
• Avoid crowds
• Avoid areas with low ventilation
• Opt for dining outdoors
• Meet people in outdoor gatherings
• Opt for contactless payment methods
• Consume a lot of water and hydrating fluids
• Eat healthy by consuming green leafy vegetables and fruits
• Avoid too hot or cold foods
• Cover your mouth while sneezing with a tissue or the bend of your elbow

Consider securing health insurance before your travel

Whether you are traveling alone or with your loved ones, health insurance will offer financial security during an unfortunate event. If you are unsure about where to start or how to find the best health insurance plan in the UAE, you can always reach out to a Pacific Prime insurance expert! Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and will be able to help you with a plan that meets both your requirement and budget.