Renad Ghanem

Saudi Gazette

 

THE concept of Ramadan home decoration in Saudi Arabia is not popular like in the rest of the Islamic world. Many people, especially expatriates in the Kingdom, tend to decorate their homes before and during Ramadan.



One of the main items used to decorate homes before Ramadan is the Fanoos, Ramadan lanterns. This is mainly very popular in Egypt. Many of the Egyptian people interviewed in this report said that they were keen on bringing the Fanoos from Egypt as genuine ones are not sold here in Saudi.



Marwa Salem, an Egyptian housewife, said that although decorating homes is not popular here in Saudi Arabia, they tend to keep this culture alive even if they are far away from home.



“Ramadan is a valuable time in our lives and it should be welcomed by redecorating the whole house for a special welcome for Ramadan. I put two Fanoos outside in the balcony and a sign saying welcome Ramadan with a Ramadan moon crescent. Many of my Saudi neighbors liked my decoration, although they do not decorate their homes.”



Fawziya Abdulsalam, a housewife from Egypt living in Jeddah, said that the whole house is changed and decorated a week before Ramadan. “I am trying to teach my children that Ramadan is a special month that needs to be celebrated before, during and after. My children help me in redecorating the house in Ramadan, including the Fanoos and Qur’an calligraphy.”



She said it is sad that home decorating during Ramadan is not popular in Saudi Arabia as in Egypt.



Al-Khayyamya cloth (patterned fabric which is commonly associated with Ramadan occasion) is also used in Ramadan decoration. It’s easy to use in many ways during decoration. Some people use it as window curtains, on the doors and they use it also as covers in the dining table and in the other tables. People use small lighting lamps around the house, and in a country like Egypt and they also light the balconies with colorful small lighting lamps. There are also many small lanterns that could be used around the house which include the oriental and Islamic spirit besides “Al-Fanoos”.



Many accessories could be also used to decorate the house in Ramadan like the moon crescent and stars accessories that are available in many types.



It could be also hand made by using few crafts materials. Many people use home accessories that is characterized by Islamic art and calligraphy, they use printed banner or a good quality paper that could be glittered or used to make Ramadan welcoming titles, like “Ramadan Kareem”.



Usually the family spend their time after iftar in front of television watching the programs, because of that many people also decorate the space around the television, they use Al-Khayyamya cloth and small lanterns, many people get a small silver table that characterizes the oriental flavor in the middle of the room so they can present the drinks and sweets for or after iftar for the guests and the family while watching TV.



Many people use Islamic antiques around the house like a model of the Kaaba, a Qur’an calligraphy and big prayer beads that are used especially for decorations.