Ramadan will culminate with a celebration known as Eid al Fitr. Children in Saudi Arabia look forward to this occasion just as much as children in other places look forward to Christmas. This post is more oriented for those who are in the Kingdom during Eid al Fitr but may not necessarily be a muslim yet have perhaps been invited to a muslim’s home during the Eid celebrations.
First and foremost, it is appropriate to greet your muslims hosts with a warm “Eid Mubarak” which is congratulating them in the honor of Eid. If the muslim hosts have young children it is very nice to have a small bag of treats for them. This bag can contain special Eid candies which are available at any grocery store or bakery. Depending on the age of the children further including some coloring books, crayons and little games is a nice gesture. Some, in addition to the treats will give a child five or ten riyals too. It is also appropriate in lieu of a bag of treats to just give the young children only the riyals.
For the muslim hosts themselves, while they will never ask you as a guest to bring anything, it is appropriate to arrive with a nicely wrapped box or basket of chocolates.
There are usually many visitors during Eid as families like to pay their respects and Eid wishes to one another. Therefore many people may be coming and going during your visit. If a lot of visiting activity is observed, I usually try to keep my respective visit to less than an hour so the hosting family can place their own Eid visits too. Naturally a Saudi host would never say to an invited guest if he or she has overstayed or if other plans were pending until the visitor had departed.
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Nice post!
Ah yes .. the Eid money (otherwise called Eidia) I really miss having to go to my uncles and great them with the usual “Eid Mubarak” while anxiously waiting for the Eidia.
Now i have to give it out to my young sisters and nieces
It is important to know these things. It reminds me of when I move to England. Children would come around and sing carols at people’s doors during the Christmas season. The first year I was there I didnt know it is expected that you give them some money….a 50p coin, or a pound a piece or something.
Interesting information
) . I and a friend are invited to our patients home tonight for dinner/breakfast/iftar (whatever you want to call it) and we’re wondering if a hostess gift is appropriate..? I thought i read somewhere NOT to take gifts to a Saudi home because it’s insulting or something..?
@Andrea,
That isnt correct. It would be seen as rather low class and cheap to show up at someone’s home, especially for the first time, and not have something.
We usually take flowers and something else…..nice box of dates, candy, incense or gift basket.
@Carol
Some Saudi families invite all of their friends and relatives to stop by the first day of Eid and go to visit the second or third day. Many large families might take turns inviting each other out for dinner as well.
What day is Eid this year and how long does it last?
the festive flavour would bring people together, which is necessary for unity. it would be wonderful to see the smile on the face of children, while they receive the gifts – afterall, children are children, they are godly
nicely post
I second Abu Sinan’s comment that it is always appropriate to take a nice hostess gift when visiting a home. I’ve never had a Saudi come to my home empty handed and vice versa.
Just remember…if you receive an invitation to share iftar (breaking of the fast) with someone, this is an invite where you arrive a little early. The hosts have been fasting all day and are not expected to wait for late arriving guests before breaking their fast.
Eid should be o/a 23 September but it depends on the sighting of the moon in Saudi. Eid celebrations last for three consecutive days.
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