Latest news with #Haj
National Geographic
a day ago
- National Geographic
A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi
We can learn a lot about a place when we allow our senses to guide us. While exploring Abu Dhabi, aromas that commonly delight and intrigue include heady oud wafting from incense burners in souks and malls, along with fruity-smelling smoke puffed out by shisha pipes across cafés. On the taste side, cumin, saffron, and cardamom are just some of the spices that feature heavily in many of the traditional dishes that please the palate and tell the story of the emirate's cuisine. A sensory-led journey through Abu Dhabi will not only grip you; it will help to illuminate many aspects of the emirate's culture, such as the connection between coffee, or gahwa as it is known in the region, and hospitality. Nothing says Abu Dhabi quite like the scent of coffee infused with flavors such as cardamom and rose water. Gahwa is a symbol of hospitality and holds great importance in Emirati culture. Such is gahwa's significance to Abu Dhabi, and the UAE as a whole, its one-dirham coins pay homage to it by depicting the dallah, the traditional Arab coffee pot. The pot's unique form, from its crescent-shaped spout to its spire-shaped lid, has become a symbol of local coffee culture. There is even an oversized dallah-shaped sculpture in Abu Dhabi's Union Square, further emphasizing the utensil's place in Emirati national consciousness. Coffee is a key part of an emirate welcome, traditionally boiled up in a ornate pot called a dallah, which is now synonymous with the region. Photograph by Nichole Sobecki Some believe that coffee was first brought to the region, known today as the UAE, by Muslims returning from Haj in Mecca, around the 15th century. Regardless of how the beverage made its way here, its popularity quickly spread in the Arabian Peninsula, taking on a life of its own complete with rituals and etiquette. This etiquette is an important display of hospitality in Emirati society, thought to hail from the days when Bedouins relied on reciprocal generosity. The person tasked with serving gahwa, known as muqahwi, holds the dallah in his left hand and the finjaan (cups with no handles) in his right. He then serves gahwa starting with the most important person in the room followed by those on his right. Once a guest is finished and no longer wants a refill, they should shake the cup, alerting the muqahwi that they're done. Although admittedly, once you start it's hard to stop, no matter how ill-advised it is to keep guzzling a heavily caffeinated beverage. The process of making gahwa is an elaborate affair, however, today some of the steps are omitted. The roasting is mostly done by machines where traditionally the process began with converting the beans into coffee by sorting, washing, and drying the beans, then roasting them until they turned red or brown. The roasted beans are ground with a mortar and pestle—a noisy process tinged with nostalgia for older generations of Emiratis. The rhythmic clanging evokes memories of coffee being made at dawn and is seen as an invitation to awaken and join the rest of the family before the start of the day. Once roasted, the beans are boiled in the dallah, releasing a pungent aroma. Added spices and flavourings, such as cardamom, saffron, rose water, and cloves infuse the coffee, giving rise to a distinctive, sweet scent that has become synonymous with hospitality, family, generosity. If you're looking to recreate the experience at home, it is worth making the trip to Souk Al Zafarana in Al Ain to buy supplies. A nose-led adventure awaits you in its alleys where you can shop for an array of spices, including those used in gahwa, as well as the dallah. Shop here at your own peril, though, if you're short on luggage space; it's hard to resist the medley of handicrafts, perfumes, and trinkets. As demand for specialty coffee soars and independent shops pop up across the emirate, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi is working to preserve traditional gahwa through the Gahwa Championships at Al Hosn Festival. At the festival, participants are tested on their knowledge of gahwa heritage, along with bean selection, and the way the beverage is prepared. The initiative helps to protect and document gahwa as a precious Emirati tradition. Beyond its traditional roots, coffee is coming into the contemporary in Abu Dhabi through specialty roasteries and coffee shops. Photograph by Nichole Sobecki One thing gahwa shares with traditional Abu Dhabi cuisine is the sense of community and connection it evokes. Emirati dining is largely a communal affair; picture giant pots of gently spiced food being shared by the family, the scents of cinnamon and saffron surfing the air. Emirati food can be largely understood through the country's geography and trading heritage. An amalgamation of Asian and Middle Eastern influences, major ingredients include rice, fish and meat cooked with nuts, limes, dried fruit, and ghee. One popular dish is ayesh muhamar, rice cooked with date molasses and served with fish. The flavor profile is typical of Emirati dishes, which often combine sweet with savoury. Machboos, a much-loved dish made with rice together with chicken, lamb, fish or shrimp, is a regular fixture during weekend family lunches. Bzar, the spice mix that is used, varies from household to household and is typically a closely guarded family secret. Machboos, together with another local favorite that has taken on a form of its own, biryani, are living testaments to the UAE's trade history with India and the historic region of Persia. An interesting breakfast favorite is balaleet, which is comfort food at its finest—and if you're looking for a less-than-conventional way of having your eggs in the morning, this one is for you. Traditionally it is a combination of vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, saffron, and cardamom and topped with—here comes the curious part—an omelet. While a number of restaurants offer Emirati cuisine, the truth is these dishes are best enjoyed homemade. If you happen to make friends with a local during your stay and they invite you to share a meal at their home, this is an opportunity not to be missed. No invite? No problem. Take an aromatic trip through one of Abu Dhabi's main souks and browse some of the most popular produce shopped for by locals and residents. The rows of colorful produce at the Al Mina Fruit and Vegetable Souk offers a plentitude of photo opportunities for those with no space left in their luggage looking to take some snaps home instead. It's also a great place to shop for a firm staple in Emirati cuisine, the date. From plain dates to ones stuffed with pistachios, orange peel, or covered with chocolate, there's a wide array to sample and buy. Neighboring Mina Zayed fish market is also worth a visit, where you can window shop and then eat local fish at one of the restaurants under the same roof. Delicious, fresh seafood cooked to perfection certainly comes a close second to a traditional Emirati homecooked meal.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Many pilgrims decline Haj subsidy as awareness grows
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of Malaysian pilgrims opting out of Haj subsidies has risen over the past two years, reflecting increased awareness of financial readiness as a key requirement for the pilgrimage. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar revealed the trend in Parliament today, noting a decline in subsidy uptake among B40 and M40 groups. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. 'Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj,' he said. A total of 396 pilgrims declined subsidies in 2023, followed by 263 in 2024. Mohd Na'im attributed this shift to a growing understanding that performing Haj should only be undertaken when financially capable. The trend has also benefited TH's financial health, with dividend payouts rising to 3.25 per cent last year. On Haj costs and quotas, Mohd Na'im confirmed no price increase for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with fees remaining at RM33,300 per person. Malaysia's official Haj quota, set at 31,600 annually by Saudi Arabia, has been fully utilised from 2020 to 2025. However, in 2022, pandemic restrictions reduced the quota to 14,306 pilgrims. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Many Pilgrims Opt To Decline Haj Subsidy – Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) – The provision of Haj subsidies for B40 and M40 groups has shown a decline over the past two years, as many pilgrims have voluntarily chosen to reject the assistance, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the rejection stemmed from the growing awareness among Muslims that performing the fifth Pillar of Islam must be based on financial ability. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj. '... a total of 396 (in 2023) and 263 (in 2024) voluntarily rejected the assistance... they did not wish to accept any form of subsidy or Haj aid provided,' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the suggestion of channelling TH's profit returns as subsidised assistance to pilgrims in need. Mohd Na'im said the rejection of subsidies also had a positive impact on TH's financial performance, with its dividend distribution rising to 3.25 per cent last year. Answering Ahmad Marzuk's original question regarding the increase in costs and the Haj quota, he said there has been no rise in Haj cost for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with the amount remaining the same as last year at RM33,300 per pilgrim. As for the Haj quota, he said there were no unused official Haj quotas for the period from 2020 to 2025. 'The official annual Haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government is 31,600, based on a resolution by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which stipulates one per cent of a country's Muslim population.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Haj committee initiates shorter pilgrimage option for 2026
PTI photo / File MUMBAI: In a significant move, Haj Committee of India (HCOI) has, for the first time, introduced a shorter 20-day Haj package for pilgrims. This new option is part of the guidelines released for Haj 2026. A maximum of 10,000 pilgrims will be allotted slots for this condensed pilgrimage. The remaining pilgrims travelling through HCOI will follow traditional 40-45 day schedule. Should applications for short-duration Haj exceed the 10,000 limit, a lottery system will be used for selection. The deadline for submitting Haj 2026 application forms is July 31. India's total Haj quota stands at approximately 1,75,000 pilgrims, with 1,25,000 embarking through HCOI and the remaining 50,000 opting for private tour operators. Pilgrims will pay the same fare as those on the 40-45 day trip, as chartered planes and accommodation are booked in advance. The 'short duration Haj' will be available from seven points: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Ahmedabad.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Actress Lisdawati still keeping telekung sewn by her mother
Lisdawati (right) with her mum. Photo: Lisdawati/Instagram The success of local telekung (Muslim women's prayer garment) brand Siti Khadijah reminds versatile actress Lisdawati of her mother Risda Chalidi, who supported the family by sewing and selling prayer garments. Lisdawati, 47, whose real name is Nisdawati Nazaruddin, 47, said her mother was hardworking and that she and her siblings grew up on the income their mother received from selling telekung sewn by her. "That's why I feel proud of Siti Khadijah's success and feel compelled to support the brand,' she said when met at the recent launch of the brand's latest face design Maharani. The Mitos Cinta Akira drama actress shared that her mother had been sewing prayer garments since she was young, only slowing down after Lisdawati became an actress. "My (69-year-old) mother hasn't been sewing for a long time now. These days, she spends more time resting and studying religion. But I'm still keeping one of the telekung she sewed. I take good care of it and occasionally use it because it's deeply meaningful to me,' she said. Lisdawati, meanwhile, also revealed that her life took a major turn after performing the Haj in 2023, leading her to reflect more deeply on life and spirituality. "When you realise that our future is death, you start to think about this temporary life. So, I need to fill it with things that please God, do good and keep striving to be a better human,' she said. She added that her modest dressing style reflects a continuous effort to draw closer to God, without neglecting her responsibilities as an actress, wife and mother. Lisdawati, who is married to actor and director Fauzi Nawawi, said she remains open to accepting acting offers as long as they do not go against her personal principles. "I'm not limiting the type of roles I want to do, but there are certain conditions, especially when it comes to dressing and physical contact. Thankfully, the production teams have been understanding and cooperative so far. "I'm still working because I feel it's my responsibility to support my mother. This income isn't just mine, it's the family's,' she said, adding she will soon appear in the film Munajat Kekasih , directed by Osman Ali, alongside Mira Filzah and Remy Ishak. – Bernama
