Celebrating“The Night of Mid – Sha’aban” is a recognized tradition in most of the Gulf States. The occasion is labeled in different names in the countries of the Gulf region; in the United Arab Emirates, it is called “Hag Alilah”or “Hag Allah” and “Alqrnqaoh” . In Oman, the event is called "Alqrnakecoh,”. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, people call it “AlQerraiqaan” while in Bahrain and Qatar it is defined as “Garangao."

On this occasion, children put on their pompous dresses and start roaming the neighborhood with bright traditional cloth bags, decorated with beads and coloured threads, attached to their necks.

“The Night of Mid – Sha’aban” or “Hag Alilah” in the United Arab Emirates:

Women in the United Arab Emirates make preparations for the month of Ramadan during the month of Shaaban, the month that precedes Ramadan on the Arabic Calendar. Children celebrate the night of the fifteenth of Sha’aban in buying sweets and nuts. Their mothers have already sewed cloth bags for them to collect more sweets and nuts and even money from the people in the neighborhood.
With the cloth bags suspending from their necks, the children approach each house in the area. The lady of the house opens the cloth bag of each child and puts sweets and nuts with her hands or scoop with a bowel from a tray full of sweets, nuts and delicacies. Of course, children rush to gain access to the lady and compete to collect as much portions as possible. Children then tour the neighborhood or “Freej” and approach other houses singing:
Give us… May God Grant you a trip to Mecca
A valley in front of your house, full of goodies, calls you

When they arrive at a house, they knock at the door, also singing:
Give us… May God Grant you a trip to Mecca
Give us from the wealth of Allah… May God Save your Abdullah

If the lady closes the door in their faces, and they did not get “Their right”, they shout angrily:
A bowel in front of your door … and your faces are perplexed and express discomfiture

Adults usually stay at home expecting the presence of cohorts of children and preparing to stock their bags with sweets, nuts and candies. Adults also have a share in the festivity as they take the occasion to visit one another and exchange greetings and traditional food (like bread, Zlibia).This night has a special status among children and adults alike, and extends right from after Al Asr Prayer until late in the evening.