The coming of Ramadan was celebrated this week as Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) invited children and the elderly to enjoy the traditional festivities of Hag El Leila.

Al Hisn: Sharjah Fort and Sharjah Maritime Museum organised cultural events for children with special needs, as well orphans, children suffering from thalassemia and the elderly. The initiative forms a key part of SMD's Because We Care social responsibility programme.

The wide selection of workshops, storytelling sessions, competitions, songs and traditional games are held at the museums every year to celebrate Mid of Shaban (Hag El Leila), which is observed in Gulf countries to welcome the holy month of Ramadan.

Hag El Laila takes place every mid-Shaaban – about 15 days before the holy month of Ramadan. It typically sees Emirati children in traditional clothes go door-to-door collecting sweets, nuts and treats to fill tote bags known as Kharyta. It also serves to remind children that the most sacred month of the year is very close and that they need to prepare for the spiritual period.

The festivities were held today at Al Hisn: Sharjah Fort in partnership with Sharjah Heritage Museum and earlier in the week at Sharjah Maritime Museum.

They included various activities that celebrated Emirati culture, such as storytelling sessions on the theme of Hag El Laila in which the narrator explained the difference between the tradition in Gulf countries. There was also a live demonstration of how to prepare traditional Emirati coffee and its serving culture.

Other highlights included a photography stand and a heritage exhibition, while museum staff honoured the tradition of the occasion by distributing sweets and gifts to visitors.  

For more information about Sharjah Museums Department, please visit www.sharjahmuseums.ae.