DNRD celebrates Shaaban

Staff from the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) on Thursday distributed sweets marking the celebration of the middle night of Shaaban.

In the Islamic calendar, Shaaban is the most meritorious month preceding the month of Ramadan.

Many Muslims celebrate the middle night of Shaaban as a night of special merits.

Celebrations vary in the Muslim world between spending it in worship and prayers or by fasting and exchanging gifts.

In the UAE, ‘Hag El Laylah’ (which literally means ‘For Tonight’) is the traditional name for this night, where gifts usually in the form a sweets are handed out especially to children.

It is commonly believed that the middle of the Hijri month of Sha’aban is a night for doing good deeds. One of the favourite good deeds are making a child happy and feeding the poor.

In the Gulf, it is one of the customs handed down from the generations.

Though it’s called ‘Hag El Laylah’ in the UAE, in Qatar and Bahrain they call it ‘Garangaouh’, while in Oman and southern Iran it is ‘Garankeshou’.

Kuwaitis also commemorate it, but they call it ‘Gergea’an’ and celebrate it in Ramadan.

Traditionally, Emiratis would rush to buy sweets and nuts while mothers stitch bags using colourful fabrics to fill it with sweets and nuts.

Children use this night to go out knocking on the door of their neighbours, asking for the night’s offerings with the phrase "A’atoona Hag El Laylah."

More than 80 baskets decorated with colourful ribbons and full of sweets were distributed to customers at DNRD to share the celebration in this night, just 15 days before Ramadan.

Moreover, DNRD sent their officers to distribute some sweets to the children at Al Wasl and Dubai hospitals as well as at Dubai International Airport.

Many customers were surprised with the treat.

A public affairs officer at DNRD said their aim is to preserve and reprise the tradition of ‘Hag El Laylah’.

Offering sweets to people tend to break barriers.

It is the best way to let people share your happiness and joy of celebration on this blessed night, the DNRD official said.