Can anyone advise me on appropriate or traditional gifts for my husband and his family and when are these given ?
I have really enjoyed the wisdom of this forum and am looking forward to being a member. Thank you.
It is not usual for Muslims to give gifts to each other during Ramadan. Ramadan is supposed to be a time of increased acts of worship, more prayers (especially at night time), more reading of the Qur’an, and also increased giving in charity. This should be done in addition to personal control of the desires to eat, drink, and have intercourse during the daylight hours. Muslims are also encouraged to show more control over other bad behaviours e.g. controlling their anger, their tongue, not smoking, etc. It is a time for getting closer to Allah and strengthening faith. This is the Islamic, religious side of Ramadan. However if you are living in a Muslim community you may see more emphasis being placed on different customary activities that have developed around the holy month, like eating large amounts of special food when they break their fast, partying at night-time, and thinking what new clothes they want to buy for Eid (the actual festival that comes at the end of the fasting month).
If gifts are given they are usually given to the poor during the month of Ramadan, or to children during the Eid. It is not customary in most Muslim societies for wives to give presents to their husbands at Eid, if anything the husband may give his wife, and other female relatives, gifts of money.
At Eid it is customery to get a new outfit but this wouldn't be something you would give more something your husband/father would give you.
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Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor
Kindest regards
The best thing to do really is to ask your husband and his family what they do as every family will have their own individual traditions for Ramadan and Eid. Most people are usually more than happy to tell someone who is new to the culture what they do. It’s also a good way of showing your interest in them and your respect for their customs.
You don't say where you are living now, but a nice gesture might be a contribution to the Eid celebration of some (halal) sweets/candies or special cake from your country.
But seriously they don't really mind they are used to the fact that foreigners are unfamiliar with the customs.
The other day I went into my mother inlaws kitchen and started doing the washing up. It was my sister in laws wedidng day and everyone was mega busy and I wanted to help. For the first time ever they let and I have been married nearly 2 years. It was the first time I didn't feel like a visitor. So don't expect to feel at home if you are only going for a short visit. You will be treated as a visitor and there is nothing you can do about it. I smile a lot!!!!
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Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor
ps Jane I tried emailing you from your website re your apartments but it was rejected, do you have another email address ?
Love and best, Melody
(remove the spaces which I put in to fool the spammers)
Yes men are so unhelpful on these occassions, they just don't see what the problem is lol, bless their cotton socks
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Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor