Celebrate the sanctity of Ramadan with these effortless yet thoughtful ways to honour the traditions and spirituality of this sacred Islamic month, ensuring a joyous and fulfilling observance for all.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims around the world. In Qatar, Ramadan commences around March 9, 2024, and concludes around April 8, 2024, culminating in Eid Al Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking Fast. Apart from fasting and engaging in spiritual practices such as reciting the Qur’an and offering prayers, there are diverse ways to observe and celebrate this sacred month.
Enhance your decor with dates
You can enhance Ramadan decor with dates, a staple across Muslim cultures, used for energy at dawn and breaking the fast at sunset. Place them in elegant bowls with lids to keep them fresh and create a festive display by arranging bowls of dates and nuts at varying heights, putting your own stamp on it!
Illuminate with lanterns
During Ramadan, many traditions occur at night. In the past, oil lanterns provided light for these rituals. Today, you can use battery-operated decorative lanterns indoors and outdoors to create a festive Ramadan ambience, in a signature style!
Fragrance your living space
Enhance your home’s milieu with scented candles, perfect for the holiday spirit. Opt for a scent that resonates with you, illuminating your space during Ramadan nights, especially during the final 10 nights. If you prefer incense, explore modern options with elegant holders for a headache-free experience–ideal for Ramadan–imbuing the space with your mark!
Share Iftar with your neighbour
Food fosters community and sharing Iftar–the meal that ends the fast at sunset–is a significant Ramadan tradition. Prepare a bit more during Iftar and extend a plate to your neighbour. If cooking isn’t your forte, assemble a bakery box or a food hamper with Ramadan-inspired treats. Include a note sharing the significance of Ramadan or details about the food for a thoughtful touch – it’ll go a long way in them remembering you!
Gift with care
Cash used to suffice as an Eid gift, but now personal touches are favoured. Thoughtful gifts can bring the biggest smiles, especially for kids. Wrap your Eid gift or place it in a bag with themed tissue paper such as moons and stars. For open-house Eid parties, create a “build-your-Eid-gift” station with bags, ribbon, and inexpensive items such as books and toys for kids to assemble their gifts. They’ll treasure a slice of you in those gifts!
Send Eid greetings
Eid cards are a lovely way to share the holiday spirit with loved ones and colleagues and even express gratitude to community members such as mosque leaders or teachers. Consider writing Eid cards, especially for elder relatives, to create meaningful connections across generations, evoking nostalgia and involving your children in the process – your personal touch will not go unnoticed!
Engage kids creatively
While adults fast, keep kids entertained with Ramadan-themed crafts such as making moonsighting binoculars. Craft these a day or two before Ramadan starts and use them to spot the crescent moon, signalling the month’s beginning. These binoculars can also be used for Eid Al Fitr moon sightings or other celestial observations. Kids love it when you involve them!
Share generously
During Ramadan, involve your family in acts of charity and giving. Choose charities or volunteer activities together, whether it’s donating money, conducting a food drive, or volunteering locally. It’s a meaningful way to share generosity and compassion during this season. Make sure to do it your way!
Make Ramadan memorable for kids
Utilise fill-your-own calendars, or craft your own using charming cotton tote bags (these bags can be made from clothes that have worn out or you’ve put them aside – a chance to keep your mark somewhere!) or paper boxes, to hide a small surprise for each day of Ramadan. This daily ritual will give children something exciting to look forward to, fostering a sense of anticipation and joy throughout the holy month. And adults might find it enjoyable too!
