Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013
Muscat: Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed offered Eid Al Adha prayers yesterday at the Sultan Taimur Bin Saeed Mosque in Al Khuwair suburb of Muscat as residents in Oman celebrated Eid with gaiety amidst rains in some parts of the country.
Members of the royal family, ministers and other high ranking officials joined the country’s leader in offering the Eid prayers.
The weather improved, especially in the north and north-west areas of the country, after moderate to heavy rains since Monday evening. The rains also brought mercury below 20 degree Celsius. The wet-spell and improved weather conditions added to the joys of residents as they set out for Eid celebrations.
A large number of people thronged the traditional ‘Habta’ market on the eve of Eid as demand for Omani sweet ‘Halwa” soared.
The prices of cattle went up to 1,000 Omani riyals in some regions, while goats were sold for up to 380 riyals.
A large number of visitors, especially from the neighbouring UAE, enjoyed a long spell of rains, which formed water falls around Jebel Al Shams area where night temperatures went below 15 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, Sultan Qaboos exchanged Eid greetings over phone with King Hamad Bin Eisa Al khalifa of Bahrain; Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah of Kuwait, and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran.
Residents in Oman are enjoying a six-day holiday for Eid and all outbound flights are flying to capacity. The fares, especially to the subcontinent destinations, have doubled for the Eid holidays.
Staff Report
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