By Hajar Al Teneiji
ABU DHABI — Hag Al Laila is an annual traditional festival, which falls in the second half of the Muslim month of Sha’ban, just before Ramadan. This year, Hag Al Laila took time on May 22.
On this festival, children wear UAE traditional clothes and hold a bag made of traditional fabric. In the past, children went door-to-door singing and collecting cooked food, nuts and money in their neighborhoods.
Nowadays, Emirati citizens celebrate Hag Al Laila creatively. People now add new items to the gift package that they give away. Ladies create special Hag Al Laila gift bags that include various traditional sweets, nuts and money, which they hand out to children, friends and neighbors.
“Hag Al Laila has been a traditional custom for many years and children consider it one of the most important annual events,” said Fatima Abdullah, 70.
Children celebrate this day with happiness and joy and at the end of the day, they count their money with excitement and joy.
“We learned this custom from our parents and our grandfathers, I dream of this day, because I will get lots of sweets, it is like a wonderland, ” said Asma Ahmed, 11.
Each year, government institutions design a specific day to celebrate this occasion.
“We celebrate this special occasion during work hours, so employees can enjoy their time while working and to change their moods,” said Rehab Mohamed, ADEC employee.
Emirati citizens prepare for the half of Sha’ban a week before Hag Al Laila. They decorate their houses to celebrate with the neighborhood’s children on the special day of Hag Al Laila.
This story was originally published on June 8, 2016. It was re-uploaded on Dec. 31, 2020. The photo that accompanied this story was lost due to the loss of the domain name.
