Lanterns, candles and flickering lights: How UAE residents are decorating their homes to welcome Ramadan

Lanterns, candles and flickering lights: How UAE residents are decorating their homes to welcome Ramadan

For several families, it is a cherished tradition during the holy month

Published: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 6:00 AM Last updated: Wed 22 Mar 2023, 6:35 AM

Many UAE residents are busy preparing to welcome Ramadan as they decorate their homes with lights, banners and special corners dedicated to learning more during the holy month.

For Syrian expat Alaa, the practice of decorating her home is a fairly new tradition. “As kids, we never decorated the homes,” she said.

“But in the UAE, when Ramadan comes, you see lights and décor everywhere, whether you go to malls or the supermarket. It begins to feel festive. So, I decided to do up my house as well.”

Living in Ajman with her parents and brother, Alaa started small with some lights and hangings but over the years, the décor has become more extravagant. “Earlier my parents were not very interested when I started putting up the lights,” she said.

“But now, they are more excited than me. They follow me eagerly as I go around the house decorating. My mother even wanted to put lights in the balcony but unfortunately, we don’t have an electric point there.”

Husband and wife duo Komal and Zeeshan Toor began decorating their homes