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Inside story of outdoor tents

DUBAI - Whether Ramadan tents are being used to promote business that takes away some of the month's sanctity, or have added a special flavour to this holy month, they've been giving people an opportunity for observing Ramadan in a lovely ambience and amidst a nice gathering of like-minded people.

Khaleej Times spotlights some of the more favoured places among some communities and their impressions about the tents that have been pitched at different locations around the city. Some of them focus on the spirit of Ramadan, which is about reconciliation and tolerance during the holy month which should be devoted to worship. It's the time of the year when Muslims should be cleansed of their sins.

Rami Al Ballani, a Lebanese, said that he was very disappointed at the quality of songs rendered at the tents he had visited during Ramadan.

"Most of the tents are well-designed especially those constructed outside, but the bad voice and unprofessional performance of the singers at these tents have made me reconsider going to some of them, especially where amateur singers perform."

Mr Al Ballani said that the most preferred tents are those located on the coast. "It is refreshing to visit these places after 10:00pm. The view of the sea and the fresh air counts a lot for me."

Mr Al Ballani added that most of his friends from the Lebanese community preferred going to a Ramadan tent at a camp in the desert. "These camps have been attracting an increasing number of visitors who are looking for something unique rather than the conventional tents designed at hotels. An outing in the desert is adventurous, refreshing and a new experience which I recommend," he noted.

"Tents are becoming crowded these days, especially those at hotels. Two days back, my friends invited me to a popular tent at one of the new hotels in the town. Security guards at the hotel did not allow me to enter because the place was jampacked. They asked me about the number of my friends' table and after verifying the reservation, I was allowed to go in," Mr Al Ballani said.

Dani Kabboul, a Lebanese who is a regular customer at tents set in hotels, noted that the gathering of friends and colleagues is all what matters. "Hanging out with my friends is more important than the place itself. Spending a night in a Ramadan tent is just like going to any other cafe. The service at most of the cafes and Ramadan tents is similar, you can enjoy a good meal with a nice sheesha," he observed.

Tents feature some Arabic folk art, explained Mr Kabboul, adding that this gave a special sensation on the occasion of Ramadan. "Most of the tents are full till early morning hours, when Suhoor time approaches, tents becomes less crowded as people go to bakeries and such other places to have a light meal before fasting," he said.

Ramadan tents have become popular during the last five years, noted Ihsan Sleem, a Lebanese cafe manager. "These tents have been attracting an increasing number of people every year and have become a part of Ramadan. "

Highlighting the popularity of these tents, Mr Sleem pointed out that satellite TV channels had been promoting this idea during the last few years. "Satellite TV channels used to broadcast Ramadan nights from these tents. Later on, cafes that had some extra areas around started setting up tents with a traditional Arabian sit."

"The change of weather is also prompting people to spend their nights at these tents where they can sit in the open air," said Mr Sleem. With the change in weather, cafes have been receiving a greater number of people. According to Mr Sleem, these tents have been attracting people more than cafes with their traditional sitting.

Nizar Al Aridi, a Lebanese employee in a tourism company, said that there were many tents to choose from as the trend culture had caught up in Dubai. "I have been going to these tents every night since the beginning of Ramadan. Among the common things one find is rendering of old songs mingled with some new ones, and having a Suhoor meal with popular Arabian desserts," he said.

"Large TV screens have been installed in many of the tents, where people can enjoy watching Ramadan evenings in Arab countries covered by satellite channels, or TV melodramas. While others switch on a film or a football match. Most tents have singers assisted by one or two instrumentalists, entertaining people," pointed out Mr Al Aridi.

He added that there were many tents located on the coasts, far from the traffic at the centre of the city, some prefer spending their nights at crowded tents to share with others the sense of Ramadan, while others resort to less crowded tents for enjoying a quite evening in fresh air.

"Although most of these tents remain open all through the year, they enjoy a special place in the heart of the people during Ramadan. They have created some nice places for people to gather on the occasion and have ushered in a new tradition along with other old ones to celebrate this holy month," said Mr Al Aridi.