Saudi Gazette Report

DAMMAM — Ramadan is a month of connection, reflection and mindfulness. It is also known for bringing together families, neighbors and friends.

Traditionally Muslims come together during the month to share meals and rekindle family ties. There are a couple of traditions that children and families of Al-Sharqiyah, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, practice to usher in the holy month. These Ramadan traditions in Al-Sharqiyah are similar to those in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The drum player

Some of the key activities the Sharqiyah children enjoy during the holy month include, among others, roaming the neighborhood with the drum player (Almusaharati Abu Tubailah)

Picture a beautiful setting where the children gather around the drum player right before sunrise, calling out in a loud clear voice to wake the neighborhood for the suhoor meal. This tradition remains until today despite the availability of modern communication methods.

Greeting Ramadan

Ramadan memories of children in Al-Sharqiyah often form around gathering at the iftar table and visiting family members and neighbors. Prayers of accepted worship and charitable activities are also encouraged and carried on year after year.

Fruit popsicles and balila

When Ramadan falls in the summer months, people freeze diluted berry juice such as Vimto in plastic bags to cool off themselves. They also enjoy a chickpea snack (balila) after the taraweeh prayer when the temperature would cool down a bit. In the evenings children relish ice cold popsicles sold at nominal prices. This has been an ongoing tradition in the streets of Sharqiyah especially in residential neighborhoods and outside mosques.

Al-Qergaia’an

Al-Qergaia’an is a colorful social celebration where children adorn themselves in traditional clothing and walk around chanting songs asking for the goods that the neighbors will give them. Sweets and nuts are usually distributed to children during this celebration, and families arrange for musical bands with drums that welcome the children by singing and chanting songs incorporating their names wishing them well. Some families will also hire a horse and a carriage for the children to experience how this occasion was celebrated in the old days.

Iftar at the mosque

In a beautiful expression of good, and seeking reward from Allah during the holy month, of mosques host iftars for the community of Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and share a meal and connect with one another during Ramadan. Families contribute to this practice by sending homemade dishes with the children to share with the community at large. This practice is not exclusive to the Eastern Province but is also practiced regionally and globally among Muslim minorities as well. It is one of the most sought after and loved practices in the month of giving.

Sharing with neighbors

Social ties are usually rekindled and strengthened during the month of Ramadan. Neighbors come together and share their traditional dishes. Children enjoy this practice as they get reacquainted with their neighbors and get to try a variety of delicious Ramadan delicacies.

Hosting iftara at home

Families during the month of Ramadan sometimes circulate hosting iftars in the homes of grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles. This encourages more engagement and connection between family members especially children, where a specific household or several could host iftar daily, weekly or in any frequency. Young and old come together to share and contribute to these iftars. They prepare delicious dishes, tea and coffee shared by all.

These are the seven traditions in Al-Sharqiyah that create an unforgettable experience during the holy month of Ramadan. Anyone will thoroughly appreciate a visit to Al-Sharqiyah during the month of blessings, and try the delicacies that children enjoy in the holy month.