Dubai: Dubai Culture has organised special cultural and traditional activities for the occasion across the UAE to celebrate the middle of Sha'aban, locally known as Haq Al Laila, Friday.
It has created tote bags in the form of UAE national attire for men and women — the kandoura and jalabiya — which have been filled with traditional sweets, raw peanuts and salted chick peas.
The tote bags, which contain leaflets to educate the public on the occasion, will be distributed by children to different government entities in Dubai the bags also contain leaflets to educate visitors on the occasion, its practices, and its importance in the cultural heritage of the UAE.
Haq Al Laila falls on the 15th day of the month of Sha'aban, the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and is celebrated with gaiety in the UAE as well as the rest of the Arab world.
In the Gulf Cooperation Council, women start making their preparations for Ramadan while children visit homes singing songs and are presented with sweets.
On this night, Muslims perform special prayers called Nawaafil, recite verses from the Quran, and seek forgiveness.
Other names
- Lailatul Biraat
- Lailatul Dua
- Nim Sha'ban in Afghanistan and Iran.
- Nisf Sha'ban in Arabic-speaking countries.
- Nisfu Sya'ban in Malay-speaking countries.
- Shab e Bira'at in South Asia, where it means the ‘Night of Emancipation'.
- Berat Kandili in Turkish
