This Emirati Astronaut Sent An Eid Greeting From The International Space Station And It’s Wholesome
Sultan Al Neyadi and Suhail, his “partner” on the mission, shared a very special message from the International Space Station.
Sultan Al Neyadi, one of United Arab Emirates’ first two astronauts, sent a wholesome Eid al-Fitr greeting from space, where he is currently on the country’s first long duration mission.
The 41-year-old Emirati posted a video on Twitter from the International Space Station (ISS) on Apr. 21, the second day of Eid this year.
Eid is a two-day celebration for Muslims worldwide, held after they fasted and reflected from dust to dawn for the entire month of Ramadan.
Al Neyadi, who usually spends Eid with his family and children, this time took the opportunity to share his life in outer space instead.
In the footage, he first gave a quick tour of the space station alongside Suhail, his “partner” on the mission, which is also the mascot of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The blue stuffed toy, used as indicator in the microgravity environment, was sporting a mini kandura.
Al Neyadi, who was donning a kandura himself as well, then introduced viewers to the Cupola module, the observatory station where he monitors Earth from afar everyday.
“Today, I’ll be celebrating Eid with my trusty companion Suhail,” he said in Arabic and with a festive song playing in the background. “On this blessed occasion I send my warmest greetings to my family, friends, and everyone back on Earth. May this special occasion bring you peace, happiness, and prosperity. Eid Mubarak!”
Today, I’ll be celebrating Eid with my trusty companion Suhail.
— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) April 21, 2023
On this blessed occasion I send my warmest greetings to my family, friends, and everyone back on Earth. 🌍
May this special occasion bring you peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Eid Mubarak! 🌙
Selected from more than 4,000 candidates to become one of the two Emirati astronauts, he worked as a communications engineer for the UAE Armed Forces before embarking his out-of-this-world space career in 2018.
