RIYADH: Far from their families, expatriate women in Saudi Arabia are marking Eid Al-Fitr in ways that blend their own traditions with local customs.
In the days leading up to Eid, Jingyi Zhao keeps in touch with her family in China through daily video calls, sharing glimpses of Ramadan decorations in her residential compound while following preparations back home.
Zhao, CEO of DeiNai AI’s KSA branch, said she will not be alone on Eid. “Many of my Saudi friends invite me to their homes, happily saying they would ‘adopt’ a Chinese guest as part of the family to celebrate together. This strong sense of community has greatly eased my homesickness.”
She is one of thousands of expatriate women spending Eid in the Kingdom, carrying the traditions of their home countries while remaining fully open to experiencing Saudi Eid customs.
Living near the Two Holy Mosques gives her Eid an exceptional spiritual depth. Zhao added: “Living here adds an unparalleled spiritual dimension to Eid. I can feel the spiritual energy at the heart of the Muslim world.
