During Eid Al Fitr, as celebrations continue across Oman with family visits, shared meals and quieter moments of reflection, the festival takes on layered meanings for those who have lived between cultures.
For Reinilda van Heuven Dernison, a Dutch neuropsychotherapist who returned to Amsterdam, Eid now exists as memory as much as moment. After 16 years in the Middle East, including time in Oman and Qatar, her reflections are shaped by both belonging and distance.
“Eid evokes a sense of nostalgia — not only for a place, but for a way of life”, she says. “It reminds me how deeply one can belong to more than one culture at once”.
Her recollections are vivid and sensory — the sweetness of halwa, the tenderness of shuwa, the rich spices of kabsa and the smoky flavour of mishkak. “These are not just dishes”, she notes. “They represent warmth, connection and the joy of sharing”.
Beyond food, it is the rhythm of everyday traditions that lingers: the offering of dates and coffee, long conversations without rush and the quiet acts of charity woven into neighbourhood life. Through her work as a photographer, Reinilda also documented the cultural fabric of Eid — from intricate henna traditions to desert gatherings where horses and camels echo generations of heritage.
“In places like Muttrah and the interior regions, Eid is an expression of hospitality and deep-rooted community values”, she reflects. Yet, upon repatriation, it is the people she misses most. “Friends, families — and the creatives who became like family — are what stay with you”.
If Reinilda’s Eid is defined by memory, Maimuna Bi Sayed experiences it fast-paced.
As the founder of Trident Solutions, an events company in Oman, Maimuna is immersed in one of the busiest periods of the year. “The days leading up to Eid are the most exciting”, she says. “The entire atmosphere transforms into a festive, vibrant season”.
Her team works across large-scale shopping exhibitions and retail activations, including events at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, creating spaces that bring the spirit of Eid to life. “It’s fast-paced, but incredibly rewarding to see everything come together”, she says.
Eid is also a time of connection in her professional world. Corporate gifting, curated hampers and themed activations become part of a broader narrative of togetherness. “We focus on creating experiences that reflect the spirit of the season — community, reflection and shared joy”, she explains.
At home, traditions hold equal meaning. “There’s excitement in buying new clothes, planning gatherings and applying henna”, she says. “For children especially, Eid is magical — they look forward to receiving Eidiya and celebrating with family”.
Between Reinilda’s quiet nostalgia and Maimuna’s vibrant present lies a shared truth: Eid transcends geography. It is both memory and momentum — carried across continents and lived in the moment. Together, their stories reflect how the festival continues to connect people, cultures and communities, long after the celebrations fade.
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