Tradition and togethernessin Omani Ramadhan

In the Sultanate of Oman, Ramadhan is not just a month in the calendar. It is a feeling. It is anticipation, calm, hunger and generosity all woven together. Long before the crescent moon is officially sighted, there is already a quiet excitement in the air. Ramadhan is important because it is a holy month, but also because life changes. It slows down in a way that feels intentional and meaningful.
One of the first things people notice is the shift in routine. Work and school hours are reduced, giving everyone more time to rest, reflect and prepare for the evening. Offices close earlier. Class schedules are shortened. The pace of the day softens. Unlike the rush of ordinary months, Ramadhan in Oman and Muslim countries in general, allows space, space to pray more, to read the Holy Quran, to sit quietly and to think. The adjustment acknowledges that fasting from sunrise to sunset is physically demanding and it gives people the opportunity of balancing productivity with spirituality.
That slower rhythm makes a difference. Ramadhan becomes a time where Omanis consciously focus on spiritual growth. Mosques fill for Taraweeh prayers at night. People make extra du’a. Families gather after prayer and talk longer than they usually would. The month feels sacred, but also intimate.
Food, of course, plays a central role, not because Ramadhan is about eating, but because Iftar brings people together. There is something special about preparing a meal all day while fasting. Hunger builds anticipation, but it also builds appreciation. In many Omani homes, cooking becomes a shared activity. It is a time to try new recipes, to experiment with desserts and to pass down family traditions.
Certain foods are reserved almost exclusively for Ramadhan. Samboosas are fried until perfectly golden and crisp. Lokma appears on nearly every table and umm ali, warm and sweet, becomes a comforting dessert after a long day. And then there is Vimto, that purple drink that seems to define Ramadhan evenings across the Gulf. For many, just thinking about these foods during the day while fasting becomes motivation. It is something to look forward to, a reminder that patience will be rewarded.
When the athan for Maghrib echoes through neighbourhoods, the day shifts instantly. Families gather around dates and water, breaking their fast together. There is a moment of silence and of gratitude. Then comes the meal, often hearty, colourful and shared generously.
On weekends, Ramadhan becomes even more social. Families rotate invitations for Iftar. One night might be spent at an aunt’s house, another at a cousin’s. Friends organise gatherings. The atmosphere is lively, filled with laughter and the sound of plates being passed around. Ramadhan in Oman is not isolating, it is deeply communal. It strengthens relationships. It reminds people that faith and family are intertwined.
One of the most joyful traditions for children is Qaranqasho. Often described as Oman’s version of Halloween, Qaranqasho takes place at night during Ramadhan, usually in the middle of the month. Children dress in beautiful traditional clothes, carry small bags and go door to door in their neighbourhoods collecting sweets and snacks. Neighbours prepare for it in advance, filling bowls with candy and greeting children warmly. The streets fill with excitement, laughter and bright outfits. It is a night that children look forward to every year, a memory that stays with them long after they grow up.
As the month draws to a close, another kind of excitement begins to build: Eid preparation. The last ten nights of Ramadhan are spiritually intense, but they are also filled with preparation. Men and women begin tailoring their traditional clothes. Dishdashas are fitted and dresses are chosen carefully. Girls and women visit salons for henna, decorating their hands with intricate designs. Shopping malls become busier as families buy new shoes, accessories and gifts.
The final days of Ramadhan in Oman carry a mix of emotions, sadness that the holy month is ending and happiness that Eid is approaching. The streets feel different. There is a sense of completion, of accomplishment. Fasting for 30 days is not easy, but doing it in a society that moves together makes it meaningful.
Perhaps that is what makes Ramadhan in Oman so powerful. It is not something you do alone while the world continues unchanged. The country acknowledges it, the routine adjusts and the community participates. The environment supports the spiritual journey. Ramadhan in Oman is a reminder that faith is not only personal; it can be collective. It is a month where time feels softer, food tastes sweeter and family feels closer.