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Gergaoun celebrations were hosted at City Centre Bahrain’s Central Galleria, in association with the Ministry of Social Development.
Children dressed in colourful traditional clothes collected treats from 20-plus participating retailers as a live traditional band with the horse-figure ‘Fraisah’ toured inside the mall creating ‘great moments’ for the crowd of shoppers to treasure.
Gergaoun, which is usually celebrated on either the 13th, 14th or 15th of the Islamic calendar month of Ramadan, is a time when little ones dress in pretty traditional attire, knocking on doors to receive sweet treats from neighbours and friends such as chocolates, candies and crisps.
It is sometimes likened to other annual island activities by expats, such as Halloween, but there are no scary costumes involved here, just happy colourful characters.
The origin of the event is believed to date back to the birth of Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hasan ibn Ali, when sweets were handed out to people in celebration.
Nowadays, Bahraini families will often gather together to play games while the older children and some of the adults dress up as the ‘horseman’ to wander the neighbourhood and sing Gergaoun songs and beat traditional drums.
Many malls in the kingdom stage events too and this celebration is just one of the many ways City Centre Bahrain makes an impression. Shoppers and visitors are continuing to ‘make a difference’, for example, by supporting a stunningly successful regional community initiative.
Majid Al Futtaim, the mall owner, is currently staging its 11th annual campaign which encourages the act of giving during Ramadan. “Each year we aim to raise the number of contributions collected, calling on our guests to contribute to their communities, sharing in the spirit of Ramadan and taking part in our vision of creating great moments for everyone, every day,” said Duaij Al Rumaihi, senior mall manager, City Centre Bahrain.
Special donation boxes have been placed at all its 19 shopping malls, leisure and entertainment destinations and Carrefour stores across Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman and the UAE.
The aim is to promote kindness and make a difference through the donation of everyday essentials. Donated items can include clothes, toys, books, non-perishable food items and electronics, which the organisers say will help families in need ‘experience the spirit of the holy month’.
The campaign will continue into Eid and locally support the endeavours of the Islamic Association in Bahrain, ensuring timely and appropriate distribution of all donated goods through its network.
