The majority of visitors to Jeddah, whether Saudis or expatriates, during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays prefer to go the Corniche and enjoy the beautiful weather on the seaside. They love to watch the sunset and the darkness of night descending on the city. An SPA correspondent monitored the beautiful moments at Jeddah Corniche where the people happily gathered to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr. The Corniche became a meeting place for members of families and friends. People of different ethnic origin and of various interests gathered at the Corniche. The sound of waves lapping on the boulders on the side of the pavement that extends for a long distance along the coast was relaxing for many. Jeddah Municipality has intensified its efforts to serve picnickers, tourists and visitors to Jeddah to spend an enjoyable time on the Corniche on Eid Al-Fitr and the following days of the summer vacation. The municipality and the administrations concerned have laid down a program for continuous work in cleaning the areas frequented by the holidaymakers and picnickers. Municipality inspectors are monitoring the cleaning operations and public health inspectors are checking food and drinks to ensure that they are in conformity with hygiene regulations. The preferred time for visiting the Corniche differs person to person. There are people who visit the Corniche in the morning and take breakfast there. Others come in the afternoon to enjoy hot drinks on the beach and watch their children playing on the seesaws, swings and other games the municipality has set up for children. Still others visit the Corniche at sunset to break their voluntary six-day fast in Shawwal. Ibrahim Hamdi said he was a frequent visitor of the Corniche especially during happy occasion. He added that visiting the Corniche enables him to meet many people. Hamdi said people gather at the Corniche to exchange Eid greetings and congratulate one another. They can be likened to members of one family. The atmosphere is full of love and serenity. There were grand Eid celebrations in other regions of the Kingdom, including Al-Ahsa governorate, where the citizens celebrated Eid Al-Fitr with traditional dances to the beat of drums and songs. — SPA
