RIYADH, 31 October 2005 — At the end of Ramadan, a visitor to Riyadh in daylight would assume it’s a pretty quiet place, but a visitor at night would get a much different impression.
Nights become livelier and raucous during the latter part of Ramadan because of vacationing children who sleep away the day and become active after iftar. Some of them use the nights to play sports; others create a great deal of mischief.
In Nasseriya district, Arab News spotted groups of young Arab children spending their evening lighting firecrackers and tossing them at passersby. “This is a dangerous game, and it could seriously injure a person,” one angry pedestrian told Arab News.
Another group of youngsters lit firecrackers on people’s doorsteps to frighten those inside. “It’s a dirty game, and it disturbed the baby who was fast asleep,” an exasperated neighbor shouted at the boys. “Some of these kids don’t know what to do with themselves on these long nights, so they create mischief in the neighborhood,” a concerned parent lamented.
After Taraweeh prayers, some byways in the capital become football fields. The children who play soccer after Taraweeh prayers end the games only when it’s time for suhoor meal. Groups of Asian children are seen near the open areas near Malaz Football Stadium playing cricket.
“It’s really fun to play cricket at night since we don’t need to get up for school early in the morning,” said Shaher Hilmy, who had come to the grounds with his younger brother, Samer.
Others ride their bikes on the streets inconveniencing drivers.
“These children should play in secure areas so that everyone can be safe on the roads,” said miffed motorist Munsif Khan.
Hundreds of families were seen on either side of the Thumamah Road enjoying the desert’s night air and allowing their children to play games of their choice on the open, sandy grounds. Some families brought prepared meals from home, while others barbecued and enjoyed hot meals. Groups were renting desert bikes for the children at SR20 for a ride; even pony rides were available for modest fees.
Families could also be seen in the parks. “Children enjoy going to the park since they have several options for rides and games,” a mother said, noting the parks are well illuminated for nighttime activities.
Others prefer to spend the evening in front of the television. Candid Camera style shows, in which participants unwittingly appear foolish, are wildly popular and are made by many countries.
Yet another group of families go for Qiyamul Layl prayers that start at 1 a.m.
For the devout, prayer is central to the month, and preachers emphasize that abstaining from food alone is an insufficient as a form of observance. To truly fast, requires prayer and contemplation.
“This is the only month we get the opportunity to offer these special prayers; therefore, we don’t want to miss them,” said one worshipper. Timings and duration of the Qiyamul Layl differ from mosque to mosque, but it takes a minimum of an hour and a quarter.
Even so people turn out in such large numbers for the prayers in many mosques that they spill out onto sidewalks and streets.
Before the sun comes up, activities wind down. Families make the drive back home, and children — both athletes and mischief makers — fall sound asleep snug in their beds, dreaming of the next sunset and another night of Ramadan fun in Riyadh.
