UAE: From eyeglass candy to 'rabbit' chocolate; which Hag Al Laila sweets remain popular
Mohammed Abdullah is a file clerk at Mohammed Ali Askarpur store which started operating in 1963. For him, the deeply rooted Emirati social tradition of Hag Al Laila remains largely unaffected by modern trends yet it has evolved in terms of the types of sweets people purchase and distribute.
Hag Al Lailah, also known as Qargian, takes place on the 15th night of Sha'ban, which occurred on Thursday, February 13, but for many people, the celebration will continue in homes and public spaces during the weekend. This celebration welcomes the imminent arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.
In the past 15–20 years, families kept things simple, often distributing individual items like biscuits or packets of Sun Top juice and sweets were handed out individually.
In contrast, modern practices have shifted towards more elaborate preparations. Families now opt for pre-packed boxes or bags containing a variety of sweets, carefully organised and presented. This reflects a growing trend towards convenience and presentation, with more effort being made to ensure everything is neatly arranged.
Mohammed emphasises that Hag Al Lailah has not been affected by "trending" products to a very far extent. Instead, the focus stays on traditional sweets that have been popular for decades. He lists several classic items that continue to be in demand like:
Evolution of traditional sweets and customs
Mohammed Al Shamsi owns Hassan Mohammed Al Shamsi and Sons trading store which was his father's before he passed away, and has been operating since 1939.
Al Shamsi reflected on the types of sweets that were traditionally popular in earlier times compared to those available today. He noted that in his youth, around 67 years ago, sweets were simple and limited in variety, including essential items like nuts (such as almonds, peanuts, and chickpeas) and a few types of local candies.
These traditional sweets were an integral part of Hag Al Laila celebrations and have endured to some extent, but their prevalence has declined with the introduction of modern varieties. Al Shamsi explained that today, the market offers a staggering array of over 70 types of sweets, including flavoured ice pops, chocolate, and biscuits, which were not available in the past.
Changing tastes
Al Shamsi discussed how children's tastes and preferences have evolved due to the increased availability of diverse sweet options. With over 70 varieties, each child develops their preferences for specific flavours and types of candy. This abundance has significantly influenced how people celebrate and share sweets during Haq Al Lailah and other occasions, demonstrating a blend of modernity and tradition.
Al Shamsi noted that the "Hag Al-Lailah" period sees a significant rise in demand for sweets, especially in the days leading up to the event, with sales peaking over the weekend.
Despite the change, Al Shamsi still emphasised the importance of teaching children that this practice is deeply rooted and passed down through generations. Many families also open their homes to visitors during this time, serving sweets and traditional dishes to keep the heritage alive.
Reminiscing on the past
Hassan Saifullah Mirza, Public Relations Manager at Saif Mirza & Sons, which has been operating since the 1980s, shared nostalgic memories of celebrating Hag Al Lailah in his childhood.
"In our days, we were delighted with simple sweets like Bokmash candy, known for being the eyeglass candy," Mirza recalled. "Things are different now, with so many varieties available. Back then, children would gather for Hag Al Lailah, and if someone came from a well-off family, their mother would sew them a special bag to collect candy. The joy was immense, especially in our neighbourhood, but what truly thrilled us were the visits to the sheikh's houses. They would give us money along with sweets."
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