Ramadan is a month of nocturnal life in Saudi Arabia

In some areas of the Kingdom - in places such as Aseer - people welcome Ramadan by lighting a bonfire on their rooftops.

This is also seen in mountains.

Ramadan is a big deal in Saudi Arabia, given that the country is the epicentre of Islam. Preparations start weeks in advance, and people stock up on food and decorations for their homes. Saudis buy Ramadan lanterns for the kids, who carry lanterns and sing in the street welcoming Ramadan.

In some areas of the Kingdom - in places such as Aseer - people welcome Ramadan by lighting a bonfire on their rooftops. This is also seen in mountains.

One of the traditions is to distribute light meals at traffic lights at Magharib time.

In the cities, life slows down considerably during Ramadan. Work hours are reduced and people's body clocks readjust. As in other gulf countries, Saudis lead more nocturnal lives, and rest in the day during Ramadan. Office hours are shortened by 2 hours.

Shopping is a big activity. Night shopping becomes central, and malls, restaurants and sheesha places remain open throughout night. At Iftar and Suhoor tents, the gatherings of families and friends can be quite large. It's not uncommon for people to get through the day by sleeping and praying.

In the second half of Ramadan, men wear their Ihram clothes (worn by Muslims during Umrah (and Haj). During the last 10 days of Ramadan, which is the holiest part of Ramadan, a lot of Saudis make the effort to go to a spiritual retreat.

Food

Saudis usually break their fast with dates. After Magharib prayers, Saudis will have Foul Medames with ghee or olive oil, sambossek, bread (khubz al timz). Some families often arrange to have Iftar in each other's homes turn by turn. Saudis love to sit around and drink black tea, and a family member goes around with the bukhoor (fragrant lamp), a way of welcoming guests into their homes.

After Iftar, men and women go for Isha prayers to listen to the religious lecture from the Imam at the nearest mosque, and listen to the sermon separately. Suhoor may include the traditional khubz, traditional ghee, laban and rice and chicken

The reward for a successful month of fasting is the three-day holiday of Eid Al Fitr, the only days in the Islamic calendar when fasting is actually prohibited. They are usually celebrated in Saudi with more family get-togethers and meals and fireworks.

- Compiled by Sherouk Zakaria

SAUDI SHORBA

serves 4 cooking time 25 minutes.

Ingredients

1 small onion finely chopped

1 clove garlic finely chopped

Few chunks of meat with bone

1/2 tin chopped ripe tomatoes or tomato paste

1 teaspoon cumin powder

2 dried lemons or fresh ones

Salt & pepper

A cup of milk

1 cup of oats or barley

5 cups of water

METHOD

Saute onions until translucent. Add garlic, sauté till golden (approximately 2 minutes). Add the meat and fry until brown. Add the rest of the ingredients along with water and cook until meat is tender and the oats (or barley) are mushy. You can just pressure cook for three whistles. Garnish with cilantro or coriander leaves. If you can't get dried black lemons, add a good squeeze of lemon juice in at the end. Adjust the seasonings and serve warm.

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• Ramadan News
• MENA