Qarqe'an
Qarqe'an (Arabic: قرقيعان) is an annual tradition practiced in some Arabic Countries. It is widely practiced in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Children grab their bags in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan (13-15 Ramadan) and knock on the neighborhood doors singing traditional songs to get candies, sweets and nuts (similar to Halloween). The tradition has existed for hundreds of years.
Although the celebration of Qarqe'an shares superficial similarities with the Halloween custom of trick-or-treating, practiced in some western countries, Qarqe'an has no connection with horror and no associated origin with Halloween.
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[edit] Etymology
The word Qarqe'an is derived from Qarqa'ah (Arabic: قرقعة), which means click or snick, the sound of iron pots carrying the sweets hitting each other while serving the sweets. Another Etymology could be from the kids of Medina singing ""Qarrat Al Ain, Qarrat Al Ain" which was changed with time to Qarqe'an (See History).
[edit] History
The origin of this act goes back to the birth of prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hasan ibn Ali when the prophet's daughter Fatimah gave out colored sugar cubes to the people in celebration of her new born child on the 15th of Ramadan. When the kids of Medina heard about the news of the birth, they gathered around the prophet's house singing "Qarrat Al Ain, Qarrat Al Ain Wa Ajr AlJo'an" which means "Congratulations, congratulations, blessed for feeding the hungry." The prophet rewarded them with sweets, dates and raisins.
[edit] Tradition
Children gather in small choir groups in front of a home and sing. The song is intended to call on Allah to bless the youngest child of the family, to keep him or her healthy that the mother will remain happy. The more they sing, the more nuts and sweets they receive.
The Qarqe'an tradition is intended to spread love, happiness and affection among adults and children.
In modern times, supermarkets, corporates, and malls compete to attract children during this time via advertising in newspapers and on TV, and by offering special promotions and arranging closed Qarqe'an events to market themselves.
