IN PREPARATION OF RAMADAN Saturday, 16 July 2011 02:54

by Shaival Dalal & Ayoub Abdullah

Throughout the Islamic world there are traditions to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, one of them the night of mid-Shaaban (the Hijra month before Ramadan), when Muslims pray, fast and do acts of charity. The night of mid-Shaaban bears different names in the various Islamic countries, it is called: The Night of Candor (Laylat al-Bara’a); The Night of Prayer (Laylat al-Dooa);The Night of Distribution (Laylat al-Kismah); The Night of Fulfillment (Laylat al-Ejabah); The Night of Benediction (Allaylah al-Mubarakah); The Night of Intercession (Laylat al-Shafa’a);The Night of Absolution and the Freeing from Hell (Layla al-Ghofran wal Itqmm Annar).
In Qatar it is called the Night of Naflah when all Qatari homes welcome the month of. Ramadan with prayers and good deeds,  mainly sharing food with neighbours, the needy and the poor. Traditional dishes like Assidah, Luqaimat, Hariss, Saqoo and others are cooked and distributed. Full of joy, children carry the plates and distribute them to family members and in the neighborhood. Following that children gather on seashore or in public places with their gifts. There, they start singing the famous Naflah song:
Naflah with fat and meat
Naflah with fat and meat
You elevate those who give and offer
You elevate those who give and offer,
Hey, Generous and noble people
More you give, more you’ll receive.
Naflah with fat and meat.
While repeating the song, each child balances slowly his plate, each trying to grasp a piece from another child’s plate. Thus, the night of mid-Shaaban brings an atmosphere of joy and happiness among children and elder.
THE PENINSULA