Ramadan Kareem Everyone!
Yes, the blessed month of Ramadan is here and this year I attended my first-ever Ghabgha. Coming from the UK to Saudi Arabia, I have lived my whole Muslim life never hearing the word Ghabgha and now I know about this tradition, I am really sad I didn't know about it sooner! The Muslim world is beautifully widespread and diverse, and while Ramadan is celebrated across the Muslim world, Ghabgha is a tradition that primarily exists in the Gulf region. I believe it began in Kuwait and extended around the surrounding Gulf countries. During Ramadan, Ghabgha's may be held within families or whole communities or even for workplaces but it seems to me an excellent way to bring people together and strengthen family and community bonds with local foods, traditional music, games for the kids, and heritage decor in beautifully festive settings. Ghabgha gatherings are held during the evening hours between isha/tarawih prayers and suhur. It was the most fun I have had in a long time and it had me thinking about how my experience of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia has differed immensely from my experience of Ramadan in the UK. Here's what you need to know about the month of Ramadan in Saudi if you are living here or visiting at that time, whether you are Muslim or not.
It's a busy month for Muslims
Ramadan is always busy for Muslims wherever we live in the world as we try to incorporate extra worship, prayers, good deeds, and a lot of extra cooking and hosting into our month and all of this while the usual day-to-day continues. If you have Muslim friends they may pass on usual activities due to daytime fasting and decline some evening get-togethers in favor of ones that center around Ramadan. Please be patient with your Muslim friends and remember, this month only happens once a year and is very important to us. We want to maximize this opportunity to reconnect with our faith and establish good habits.
Eating and drinking in public
In Saudi Arabia as far as I'm aware it is not allowed to eat or drink in public during daylight hours during Ramadan and therefore businesses serving food and drink close during these times. It is important when living in or visiting a Muslim country to familiarise yourself with local laws and customs especially around the holy month so as not to offend anyone or land yourself with any problems.
Opening times changes
Ramadan affects every part of the day-to-day routine here. Malls, shops, and services change their hours to reflect demand. You will find many malls and restaurants open all night until Suhur time (the meal before fasting begins in the early hours of the morning). Even kid's play centers are often open until long past midnight. Medical facilities for routine appointments may change their appointment times to start later and end later than usual.
Work/school changes
Of course, since service hours change, so do working hours, and as far as I'm aware, in Saudi Arabia, the government issue directives for working hours and school hours during Ramadan so that all Muslims can have an easier time fasting and enjoying the festivities with their families.
Eating out
Ramadan is a wonderful month for everyone who lives in the Kingdom, Muslim and non-muslim alike. Everyone can enjoy all of the festive offers and events that happen during this time. Restaurants usually provide great deals on iftar set menus and the busy ambiance is something to experience at least once. Traditional gulf foods such as Jereesh, a Saudi dish made with chicken and crushed wheat, and Luqaimat, delicious deep-fried crispy dough smothered in syrup are readily available so this is the best time to get out and try some traditional foods of the region served at night markets, iftars, and Ghabghas. Hotels iftar and suhoor events are also a big part of Saudi Ramadan culture with lavish-themed buffets and Ramadan tents; a real treat if you have never experienced such things before.
Late nights
Muslims pray extra prayers during Ramadan, in particular, Tarawih prayers will be held at busy mosques while others will pray this special prayer at home with their families. In addition to these evening prayers, there are so many wonderful festivities and of course, that means a lot of late nights. If you get an invite then don't pass up on the opportunity. Just be warned that you will go to an event that starts at 8 pm saying you'll only stay a while since you have work, but you too will be overcome with festiveness and fun and before you know it you are like cinderella; making a mad dash home just before midnight.
Umrah
Many Muslims wish to perform Umrah in Makkah during this holy month. If you have never been to Umrah during Ramadan before then be prepared, it does get super busy. If you are taking kids or even if it is your first time, have a browse through this blog post as some of these tips may be useful to you too: https://www.sandcastlesinsaudi.com/post/how-to-do-umrah-with-children
Please familiarise yourself with the latest official guidance and rules on doing umrah, especially when visiting in Ramadan, for example, if you are required to complete a permit on the Nusuk app and the maximum number of times you are able to do umrah. These rules are there to make sure everyone who wants to can perform their umrah safely and peacefully.
Here are some of the words you may hear during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia:
Ramadan (The holy month when Muslims fast between dawn and dusk, learn more here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan)
Ramadan Mubarak /Ramadan Kareem (wishing you a blessed or happy Ramadan)
Fasting/sawm: Muslims fast for the month of Ramadan between the prayers just before sunrise and at sunset)
Iftar (the meal after the sunset prayer when Muslims break their fast)
Suhoor or Sehri (the pre-dawn meal just before fasting begins)
Ghabgha (a traditional gathering)
Tarawih (the longer prayers held during Ramadan nights at mosques and also prayed at home)
Eid (the festival held at the end of Ramadan)
Despite living here in Saudi for some time I am still discovering new traditions during this month! If I have missed anything let me know and I would love to hear how your experience of Ramadan in Saudi differs from your home country over on Instagram too.
