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With the advent of the holy month of Ramadan in Qatar, people express their delight by putting up lanterns and decorations. Children play with their toys in the streets; writers and journalists devote their writings to religious matters; preachers deliver speeches and sermons and the media presents TV programs focusing on Islamic discourses and lectures.
During Ramadan, the working hours are reduced, which makes the streets, shopping malls, markets and entertainment centers quite crowded. Qatari women purchase and store special spices for this month, prepare milk and rice, and produce clarified butter from the milk of cows and sheep, which they distribute to their friends, family and neighbors.
Life in Qatar has two dimensions during the blessed month of Ramadan:
The first is the life of the foreign residents, as Qatar lodges millions of people from various Arab and Muslim countries. These residents try to replicate the distinctive customs and traditions of their homelands in the month of Ramadan.
The other aspect is the life led by Qatari citizens, who take great care to revive their age-old traditions and customs.
Before the advent of Ramadan, people in Qatar are seen shopping for Ramadan staples that are in great demand during this holy month.
Qatari families renew and strengthen their ties during this month, due to the frequent meetings and visits among their relatives and friends. These mutual visits help in strengthening the bonds of kinship between family members – which is an important Islamic virtue – as they meet each other nearly every day to break the fast collectively, and during the family gatherings after the Taraaweeh prayer (voluntary night prayer).
Another distinguishing feature of Ramadan in Qatar is the sound of cannons being fired to indicate the time for breaking the fast. However, the profession of Al-Musahhir (the man who used to wake up people to eat Suhoor before daybreak) has completely vanished.
Masjids usually witness an overwhelmingly large number of worshippers and religious discourses are held either before the time of breaking the fast or after Taraaweeh prayer.
Traditional Qatari food
Qatari citizens prepare for Ramadan by buying various traditional food and drinks. This is noticed a few days before Ramadan, when supermarkets and malls are crowded with shoppers. There is an increasing demand for certain food items motivated by the special Ramadan offers and attractive discounts on the prices of all goods in general, and Ramadan staples in particular.
Among the most famous dishes that the Qatari people eat is Al-Harees, whichis essential fare on their table in Ramadan. It consists from mashed wheat mixed with meat, clarified butter and ground cinnamon.
Another essential item on the menu in Ramadan is Ath-Thareed, which consists of tiny pieces of bread with gravy poured over it.
In addition to Al-Harees and Ath-Thareed, Al-Majboos is also considered among the most popular traditional dishes, which are always present on the tables during Ramadan.
There are many types of Qatari sweets that are served in Ramadan. Among these is Al-Muhallabiyyah, which consists of rice and milk topped with saffron and cardamom. They also eat Al-Madhroobah and Al-Luqaymaat (sweet dumplings), which is similar to Luqmatul-Qaadhi or Al-'Awwaamah.
Immediately after the Taraaweeh prayer, the men meet together for the midnight meal called Al-Ghibqah. After that, they spend the evening in friendly conversationover Ramadan sweets. Women also meet after Taraaweeh for leisurely soirees lasting a few hours. During Al-Ghibqah, special dishes are served like Al-Mehammar, which is a dish of fried fish and rice cooked with sugar, in addition to Al-Hareesah and Al-Madhroobah.
Charity in Ramadan
In Qatar, during the holy month of Ramadan, citizens and residents both hasten to give charity to the poor and needy people to get closer to Allah The Almighty. Thus, about 250,000 needy people gather around what Arabs call "the tables of Ar-Rahmaan", which the wealthy prepare for the poor throughout the country. Besides, when the time of Iftaar approaches, a variety of snacks are distributed among the fasting people who are unable to reach their homes in time to break their fast.
Religious programs and hortatory convoys
The Ministry of Endowmentand Islamic Affairs organizes a program for education and preaching, which addresses everything related to the Muslims – from the rules of Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation) to the acts of worship. It also gives information on the virtues of the holy month, and how Muslims can make use of it to achieve the highest degrees of reward, and attain the pleasure of Allah The Almighty. The ministry also organizes convoys that aim at reaching remote areas to motivate people to give Ramadan its due rights, and not to slacken in performing the obligatory acts of worship. Like most Islamic countries, Qatar invites many scholars from various Arab countries to give lectures and to revive the nights of Ramadan with faith,to achievecommunication between all sections of society, help in spreading the knowledgeof theSharee'ahand to exchange experiences.
At-Taraaweeh prayers
The number of Muslims attending prayers in Masjids increases in Ramadan, and so do the assemblies of study and recitation of the Quran. Besides, various religious competitions are organized, in which people participate to win valuable prizes. The Taraaweeh Prayers also witness heavy attendance in Qatar, and most Muslims pray either eight or twenty Rak'ahs (units of prayer). Additionally, Tahajjud (voluntary prayer after midnight) is held in the Masjids in the last ten days of Ramadan, and the Imaams (prayer leaders) do their best to complete the recitation of the Quran during these days.
I'tikaaf (seclusion in the Masjid with the intention of worship)
The Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) of I'tikaaf still exists in this country, especially in the last ten days of Ramadan. Special places are assigned in Masjids to the people who want to perform this important act of worship, hoping to witness the blessed night of Al-Qadr. Various charitable organizations provide people with small tents for this purpose.
