A 'great sense of sharing'

Dubai: As Ramadan approaches, Emirati families - young and old, men and women, gear up to live a month of spirituality and enjoy stronger bonds, as they get to see each other more often than usual and indulge in activities usually forgotten in their busy lives.

Although many habits practised in Ramadan have significantly changed throughout the years, many Emirati families still hold on to and cherish the habits of old.

Mohammad Ahmad, an 86-year-old Emirati, still remembers how he used to be overjoyed about Ramadan approaching when he was a boy.

"I remember getting excited as Ramadan neared because I would have more time to play with my friends, as youngsters used to gather after Taraweeh prayers and play all sorts of games in the neighbourhood, including hide-and-seek," he recalled fondly.

He said Ramadan in those days used to be a large family affair because everyone in the freej [neighbourhood] knew everyone else.

Describing a typical Ramadan day in the life of Emirati families, Ahmad said: "It used to start with the drum sounds of the 'Mesharati' [a person who used to wander around the neighbourhood beating drums and waking people up for sohour]. The concept of the Mesharati is disappearing gradually, now one can seldom find any of them."

Ahmad said the sohour meal in the past used to be limited to milk, bread, water, dates and fruit, as these items were considered essential to help one get through the day.

He said nowadays, food options are limitless, but a light sohour is the most helpful.

"After the sohour meal, men go the mosque to perform the Fajr prayer, while women pray at home. In those days, people would start attending to their work right after the Fajr prayer, unlike today where office and school timings are made to start late," he said.

After Dhuhur prayers, people come back to their homes and rest until Aser prayers.

"As children, we used to head to the 'Mutawa" after Aser prayers to memorise the Holy Quran, while the elderly started preparing iftar meals," Ahmad said.

One of the well-known traditions among Emirati families, which still exists today, is sending food to neighbours.

Umm Abdullah, a 53-year-old Emirati housewife, said: "We also make more food than for the household because it just gives a great sense of sharing when we send the food we make to our neighbours. We do this occasionally, but in Ramadan, it is a daily thing before Maghrib prayers, which to me is delightful, as I get to share my recipes and also learn other recipes from my neighbours."

She said in Ramadan, there are certain dishes that have to be part of the daily iftar table. Al Harees, which is made mainly from meat and wheat, Al Balaleet, a kind of pasta made with sugar, eggs, ghee, onions and cinnamon, Al Thereed, bread mixed with meat gravy, and Luqaimaat, are some of the popular daily dishes.

One of the current practices also include the arrangement to feed fasting people during Ramadan by sending food to mosques or to needy people daily. These food items are usually made on order at restaurants and in traditional kitchens.

Private tents in homes or in neighbourhoods are also popular during Ramadan, as they are used to socialise with friends or neighbours, especially after Taraweeh prayers.