Two years of Ramadhan had literally been a closed-door event when it came to Iftar. Ramadhan of 2022 is gaining momentum for the regular feature of breaking the fast together.
In true appreciation, family members are looking forward to joining each other for Iftar. The trend this year is to celebrate each day of the holy month of Ramadhan until the grand occasion of Eid.
The focus is not just about the menus of Iftar, according to most people whom Observer spoke to, it is about the experience.
Ramadhan is a spiritual journey and is also about caring and togetherness. However, we are also conscious that we still have Covid-19 variant Omicron around, said Ahmed al Balushi.
There is a sense of gratitude amongst the families. They are planning into minute details and aspects, including interior decoration. The shops in town have on display various accessories, but dominating is Fanoos or lantern.
There is no looking back for Sarah al Jarrah as she collected items and said, “The shops are with unique products. The choice of lanterns is vast. Some are meant for outdoors, while more detailed ones can be used indoors.” As she bought wooden trays with Arabic calligraphy, she added, “What I buy will be used for different purposes and style. There is furniture too such as short tables. Most people want a complete makeover for the holy month. The accessories for Qaranqasho are already available and people are already purchasing the products. But I think I will wait because there might be more choices later.”
There is joy in the air as people shop and go through decorations, gifts and collectables. Many of the accessories have the theme of the crescent and the star. The theme seemed to be based on traditions. Bringing in nostalgia are the different lanterns in various sizes, including key chains.
A tradition that was practised in Egypt has become symbolic and iconic.
“I think the hanging lanterns were also used as decorations but also with a particular purpose: to provide light on the streets in the olden days,” said Wafa Sulaiman.
“Maybe the person who used to wake everyone up in the neighbourhood on time for suhoor, the ‘Saharati’, also needed a lantern in addition to his drum as it must have been dark at that time of the day,” said Ali Jawaish.
Of course, the current lanterns attracting the crowd are not oil lamps but battery-operated bulbs.
“With God’s grace, I hope to make this year special as so far, everything seems normal. So at least we can have family members come over during weekends as school students also can have fun and be with their grandparents and other family members. People tend to stay up late. Having everything back to normal is our hope,” said Wafa Sulaiman.
The month of fasting is an opportunity to practise the values and discipline in addition to bringing in an understanding of other people’s plight who are less fortunate.
Um Omar says, “Yes, we are all with great gratitude looking forward to the fasting. Many might feel all these accessories are new trends. Even fabric and dress materials are available in the market for the occasion. They have classic patterns and designs. I have been maintaining a practical outlook. Nevertheless, I too have bought accessories to usher in the beautiful days of Ramadhan.”
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