A date a day

MUSLIMS across Bahrain are stocking up on dates for the month of Ramadan, writes Reem Al Daaysi.

During the holy month, Muslims don’t eat or drink during the daylight hours as part of a spiritual ritual to purify their soul and focus on worship, prayer and other religious rites.

Breaking the fast with dates has been a religious and cultural tradition passed down from Prophet Mohammed and it continues to this day.

“It is written in our religious literature that the Prophet would break his fast with dates before prayers, so this ritual has a spiritual significance,” said Bahraini Abdullah Al Ali.

“There is a long history of dates in the Middle East as they have been cultivated in the area for thousands of years due to the hot and humid climate, which provides the best condition for date palms to thrive.

“Dates are beneficial especially during Ramadan as they have high levels of fibres and sugar, as well as essential vitamins like magnesium and potassium. So we make sure to have them at our iftar table every night.”

Dates also supply the body with energy due to their high levels of carbohydrates, proteins and natural sugars – making them an ideal food to break the fast.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain features a delightful feast in the elegant Masaya Pavilion Ramadan tent, with its manicured garden setting and décor inspired by Bahrain pottery. Masaya Pavilion, spearheaded by Yann Bernard Lejard, the five-star hotel’s director of culinary and food and beverage, will feature a large buffet boasting tajines, machboos, saffron rice, falafel rolls, and a variety of dates. There will also be live stations of saj bread, shanaad or sheeri, Bahraini grills, fresh pasta, pad thai noodles, tandoori meats and an array of traditional delicacies. A three-piece band led by Eman Al Aamer will serenade people daily during the Ghabga. It is BD34 per person for iftar, from sundown to 8pm, and BD37 per person from 9pm to 2am for the ghabga. Group rates are available as well upon request but for a minimum of 30 persons.

There are also Ramadan takeaway boxes priced at BD45 good for two people or for BD80, which is good for four people.

l Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

 17586499

Royal Saray  Resort by Accor

Royal Saray Resort by Accor invites people to enjoy an authentic iftar and ghabga experience at Al Hadiqa Pool and Beach. Diners can experience bountiful buffets for iftar and ghabgas featuring Arabian cuisines paired with special Bahraini delicacies and a variety of desserts and traditional Ramadan beverages. Al Hadiqa also offers entertainment in the form of live oud music. Timings for the iftar buffet are from sunset until 8.30pm, while the ghabga goes on from 9.30pm to 2am.

Both buffets cost BD30 per person.

Those who prefer a private affair can enjoy the hotel’s Arabian experience in the luxurious Al Hadiqa Pool Cabanas where they can indulge in a delectable spread of specialties prepared by the hotel’s talented chefs featuring both Arabic favourites and international dishes. Iftar timings are from sunset until 8.30pm, while ghabga will be served from 10pm to 2am. Both private dinings cost BD299 for four persons.

Guests can also mark the holy month with a Ramadan staycation at the Royal Saray Resort. A suhoor-inclusive stay costs BD99++ for two guests, while one that includes both suhoor and iftar costs BD126++ for two guests. Royal Saray Hotel also has special iftar and ghabga packages for corporates. A variety of options are available for groups wishing to experience the holy month with colleagues, business partners and families. Group offers are available upon request starting from 30 persons and above.

l Royal Saray Resort by Accor

77707070 or 66720026

The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay boasts an extravagant Arabesque-inspired Ramadan Tent featuring live music by lead vocalist and four members of the famous Opera House of Egypt. Oriental specialty Chef Tony El Khoury is dishing out hot and cold mezze offerings, a range of international dishes and a Bahraini cooking station featuring ouzi, saj, halwa and machboos. There will be 18 live cooking stations including Arabic and Lebanese specialties too.

Executive Chef Leonardo Di Clemente created a range of international live cooking stations  as well.

Global cuisine includes sushi, pasta, paella, ceviche, Indian street food and mixed grills. Executive Pastry Chef Imad Boukly is serving knafeh, maamoul, baklava, ice cream, chocolate fountain and a cake buffet.

Iftar will be from sunset to 8pm at BD32 net per person (including food, water, Ramadan juices, Arabic coffee and Moroccan tea). Ghabga will be served from 9pm to 2am and costs BD34.5 net per person (including food and Ramadan juices). Children aged six to 12 years will be charged BD16 for iftar and BD17 for the ghabga, while those under the age of six can dine for free.

Special rates for both iftar and ghabga will be available for groups of 30 people and above. There is also an iftar or ghabga takeaway set available from 5pm to midnight daily.

l The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

 17115500

Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain

Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain’s Baharat Restaurant features iftar from sunset to 8.30pm for BD18 net for adults, inclusive of Arabic juices, water, soft drinks and chilled juices. Iftar for children aged six to 12, is BD8net and children under the age of six dine for free. The ghabga is from 9pm to 1am on weekdays and from 9 pm to 2am on weekends, priced at BD18net per person.

l Le Meridien City Centre Bahrain

17171000/ 33204175