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Kids all geared up for today’s Hag Al Laila

As is the case every year, Emirati families will celebrate today a traditional occasion known as Hag Al Laila when children go from house to house singing a song called ‘Gergian’ and collect gifts.

It is celebrated in the middle of the lunar month of Shaaban before Ramadan in all Gulf countries but the name differs from one country to another.

Emirati Sara Al Suwaidi said on this day, families buy nuts and sweets for the kids who start roaming in the streets wearing traditional dresses and carrying special bags for the occasion.

“They start in the afternoon to gather candies and nuts they receive from homeowners,” she said.“It culminates in fun in the night when the children start to show off who has collected more sweets and nuts among them,” said Emirati young man Salem Al Muhairi.

Saeed Abdullah said he always remembers the day in his childhood. “When someone mentions the day, I feel the same pleasure when I and my friends used to collect gifts and nuts in our neighbourhood.” “I take the chance to send my regards to all my family members, colleagues and friends,” said Mohammed Karam. Wafaa Mohammed, an Egyptian woman, said though the event is one of the folkloric celebrations in the UAE, her kids are very keen to have fun and share the festivity with their friends.

“We have been living here for over 11 years now, and my kids have become very familiar with the festivity which falls in the eighth month of the lunar calendar.” “How beautiful the young kids look in their new, colourful and traditional clothes walking in the streets and collecting sweets!” exclaimed Fatima Saleh, an Emirati employee.

Naila Al Mansoori of Children’s City under the Dubai Municipality said, “Hag Al Laila celebrations have their base in the tradition of social harmony and intra- and inter-family relations of Emirati people.”

Municipality to give away bags of goodies

The Ajman Municipality will celebrate the festival on Thursday with various entertainment and heritage activities for children and adults. The municipality will distribute bags including different kinds of sweets and cookies to labourers of all departments in the municipality.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Marwan Al Nuaimi, Director of Customer Relations, said, “The children walk through the streets, and they sing the song ‘Aatoona Allah Yutikum Beit Mecca Yudikum,’ (Give us and God will reward you).” The municipality will distribute special bags to patients in the Ajman medical complex affiliated to the municipality.

The bags will be distributed by the children of employees during the celebrations.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com