UAE: From eyeglass candy to 'rabbit' chocolate; which Hag Al Laila sweets remain popular
Hag Al Lailah, also known as Qargian, takes place on the 15th night of Sha'ban, which occurred on Thursday, February 13, but for many people, the celebration will continue in homes and public spaces during the weekend. This celebration welcomes the imminent arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.
In the past 15–20 years, families kept things simple, often distributing individual items like biscuits or packets of Sun Top juice and sweets were handed out individually.
In contrast, modern practices have shifted towards more elaborate preparations. Families now opt for pre-packed boxes or bags containing a variety of sweets, carefully organised and presented. This reflects a growing trend towards convenience and presentation, with more effort being made to ensure everything is neatly arranged.
Mohammed emphasises that Hag Al Lailah has not been affected by "trending" products to a very far extent. Instead, the focus stays on traditional sweets that have been popular for decades. He lists several classic items that continue to be in demand like:
Evolution of traditional sweets and customs
Mohammed Al Shamsi owns Hassan Mohammed Al Shamsi and Sons trading store which was his father's before he passed away, and has been operating since 1939.
Al Shamsi reflected on the types of sweets that were traditionally popular in earlier times compared to those available today. He noted that in his youth, around 67 years ago, sweets were simple and limited in variety, including essential items like nuts (such as almonds, peanuts, and chickpeas) and a few types of local candies.
These traditional sweets were an integral part of Hag Al Laila celebrations and have endured to some extent, but their prevalence has declined with the introduction of modern varieties. Al Shamsi explained that today, the market offers a staggering array of over 70 types of sweets, including flavoured ice pops, chocolate, and biscuits, which were not available in the past.
Changing tastes
Al Shamsi discussed how children's tastes and preferences have evolved due to the increased availability of diverse sweet options. With over 70 varieties, each child develops their preferences for specific flavours and types of candy. This abundance has significantly influenced how people celebrate and share sweets during Haq Al Lailah and other occasions, demonstrating a blend of modernity and tradition.
Al Shamsi noted that the "Hag Al-Lailah" period sees a significant rise in demand for sweets, especially in the days leading up to the event, with sales peaking over the weekend.
Despite the change, Al Shamsi still emphasised the importance of teaching children that this practice is deeply rooted and passed down through generations. Many families also open their homes to visitors during this time, serving sweets and traditional dishes to keep the heritage alive.
Reminiscing on the past
Hassan Saifullah Mirza, Public Relations Manager at Saif Mirza & Sons, which has been operating since the 1980s, shared nostalgic memories of celebrating Hag Al Lailah in his childhood.
"In our days, we were delighted with simple sweets like Bokmash candy, known for being the eyeglass candy," Mirza recalled. "Things are different now, with so many varieties available. Back then, children would gather for Hag Al Lailah, and if someone came from a well-off family, their mother would sew them a special bag to collect candy. The joy was immense, especially in our neighbourhood, but what truly thrilled us were the visits to the sheikh's houses. They would give us money along with sweets."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
22 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Meet Emirati woman helping turn toxic waste into clean water
As evidenced by many Emirati women, the words of the late Sheikh Zayed, father and founder of the country ring true: 'Nothing should stop the progress of women.' For Raisa Salem Al Mansoori, the leadership of her country was the driving force in pursuing an unlikely occupation — a machine operator specialist for a waste treatment plant in Abu Dhabi. The 24-year-old spends her days at the treatment plant, inspecting water pumps and taking samples to ensure it's clean. She turns hazardous waste found in sludge — material left over during the process of wastewater treatment and usually consists of solids mixed with water — into clean water. That water is then used for non-drinking purposes, like irrigation for farming. 'At first, people were shocked,' Raisa said when asked about people's reactions to her occupation. 'But I received a lot of encouragement from my parents. As an Emirati woman, I aspire to achieve what Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed said,' she said, recalling the quote by the UAE President in which he said, 'You are an important generation, we want to make you the leaders of the world,' referring to young Emiratis. 'These words encouraged me to take on the challenge of developing our country,' Raisa added. Raisa first went into medicine but decided that it was not for her. She later felt inspired by the words of Sheikh Zayed: 'The real prosperity of a country is its youth." Raisa said that those words prompted her to seek an occupation that would better the environment and our life here on earth. 'It was difficult in the beginning,' Raisa admits. She had no prior knowledge of how to operate equipment of any sort. But the company she works for, Veolia Near & Middle East, put her under an intensive study program so that she could be set on becoming an operator. From waste to clean water The transformation from sludge to usable water begins with what Raisa calls 'equalization,' where the sludge is first collected. From there, it's moved into tanks where special chemicals are added. These substances help tiny particles clump together, making it easier to separate solids from liquid. Once the heavier solids settle, the cleaner water moves through further treatment stages, passing pumps and filters that remove remaining impurities. The final product is clear, safe water that can be reused. 'I believe that my journey proves that it is not difficult for the children of the country, especially women. And thank God, the leadership of the United Arab Emirates supports us in all areas,' Raisa said. 'If the Emirati youth are interested in the environment and safety, there is room for them in the industry. With passion and hard work, the youth and women can achieve the goals of the United Arab Emirates and make it a more sustainable country," she added.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Sanad Alwatan Women Society strengthens Emirati youth's role in community development
13 Aug 2025 00:30 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)For Sanad Alwatan Women Society, engaging the youth and fostering a sense of social responsibility are essential to shaping them into confident leaders of the its fifth annual community forum, the organisation turns the spotlight on empowering Emirati youth as active contributors to the nation's observance of International Youth Day, the society held its community forum under the banner 'Youth is the Support of the Nation'. The event took place on Monday and Tuesday, with the final day set for August 14, at the Nabdh Al Falah community Amina Al Majed, president of the association, opened the conference by emphasising that the youth are the foundation of the nation and a vital force in its than serving as a space for meaningful discussions, the forum connects the youth with decision-makers. The new generation is able to share their ideas, express their needs, and talk about the challenges they forum fosters cooperation between the youth and institutions, the society said.'This year, the forum adopts a renewed vision, presenting a different theme each month aligned with global events and occasions, such as the International Day of Families, Father's Day, and the summer vacation. It also offers quality programmes that address key youth issues, providing more interactive and relevant content,' it Mouza Al Nuaimi, faculty member at Abu Dhabi University and member of the society's board of directors, has been encouraging her students to attend the forum, saying it could expand their horizons while supporting personality part of its mission of immersing young talents in community work, Sanad Alwatan Women Society has a series of initiatives in the pipeline.'We are currently in the process of launching an initiative aimed at involving the children of our members to volunteer at the association's events. We plan to expand the scope of participation to include innovation and specialised volunteer work in the future,' the society said. The association is also working on a forum for youth-driven social innovation and a programme to prepare future volunteer leaders. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
UAE firefighting team begins operations to combat Albania wildfires
12 Aug 2025 22:12 TIRANA (WAM)In implementation of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support efforts to combat wildfires in the Republic of Albania, the UAE specialised firefighting team Tuesday began its mission in the affected areas to help extinguish the team arrived in Albania on Monday with qualified personnel for such operations, along with helicopters, equipment, and necessary firefighting materials. Helicopters carried out several sorties over the areas of Petrela and Gramsh, as well as other wildfire locations. Emirati crews, supported by advanced and modern equipment, took part in the firefighting efforts despite challenging weather conditions. Several Albanian officials participating in the operation praised the UAE's role in extinguishing the fires and its swift response, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and the positive contribution of the participating team.
