Ramadan Festival in Old Jeddah | Delicious Food at Al Jadeed Restaurant & Local Ramzan Street Food
A collaboration with my friend @FazalSharif
The narrow alleys of the historic Al-Balad area of Jeddah have become filled with light and laughter as part of a program of evening cultural and entertainment activities for Ramadan.
Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, events are taking place in special zones set up throughout the district.
Visitors at the Bab Al-Balad entrance are greeted with traditional Saudi coffee, while in the Mirkaz area they can play games, try their hand at arts and crafts, or sample gourmet food.
The Sardek zone features a Ramadan tent, a cinema of the past, roaming characters, and a puppet theater.
The nights, part of the Ramadan Season of festivities, also includes live cooking shows and Qur’an recitation contests.
Badriya Suleimany, who was selling homemade pickles at the event with her daughters, said: “I feel empowered to be a part of the Ramadan Season. I have been doing this business for the last five years, but this is the first time I have been out in the open area and meeting people from different nationalities.
“The real Ramadan vibes are in Al-Balad and it is something which everyone should visit to learn about our culture and holy month traditions.”
Visitors to Al-Balad can also listen to a Musaharati, a person who traditionally walks around a neighborhood beating a drum and chanting poetry to wake people for sahoor. And at various intervals, men in traditional costumes can be seen dancing to traditional songs.
Founded in the early 7th century, Al Balad served as Jeddah’s commercial center before the 1970s oil boom. It served as an ancient trading port and was the primary gateway to the Holy City of Makkah for pilgrims making their blessed journey for Hajj and Umrah. Today, the town is famous for its ancient architecture and traditional buildings that were constructed using coral stone and decorated with beautiful wooden lattice windows.
What sets Old Jeddah apart is its narrow alleyways, dusty streets, and beautiful terraces which can be quite difficult to navigate through for a newcomer. Interestingly, this tight architecture is what keeps the place cool despite the scorching heat of Jeddah. Some of the old buildings in Al Balad are more than 500 years old and have been preserved by the Saudi Ministry of Culture to make them look as good as new.
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