A'atoona Hag Al Leilah!

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams celebrates mid-Sha'ban

Dubai, 6 August: For the first time this year, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa celebrated mid-Sha'ban, which falls on the 15th day of the Muslim month of Sha'ban. “Hag Al Leilah” is the traditional name for this night of festivities with family and neighbours.

“Hag Al Leilah” is a custom that has passed down from previous generations. In the late afternoon, children go out knocking on their neighbours’ doors, asking for small offerings for the night with the phrase 'A'atoona Hag Al Leilah', which means “Give us sweets for tonight”.

Throughout the day, colleagues in the lobby of the resort handed out sweets and nuts to children and guests. A sign was also posted with a short explanation in English and Arabic of the concept behind “Hag Al Leilah”. 

The resort’s initiative contributed to the society though participation in community-related activities highlighting the UAE culture; encouraged the UAE children to rediscover their heritage in a beautiful atmosphere and educated the guests about the traditions of the country.

Notes to Editors

Jumeirah Group:

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai-based luxury international hotel management group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel and recognised as the symbol of Dubai, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and the Jumeirah Essex House in New York. The Group’s activities are, however, not restricted to hotel and resort management.

The Jumeirah Group portfolio also includes Jumeirah Living, the Group’s luxury brand of serviced residences offering effortless living in luxurious surroundings; global spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants, the company’s dedicated restaurant division; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region’s only fully accredited third-level academic institution delivering specialised degree programmes in hospitality management; and Jumeirah Retail, with its 15 stores and dedicated luxury online store www.jumeirahcollection.com.

Sirius, Jumeirah’s Recognition and Rewards programme, offers members the ability to earn Sirius Points every time they stay, dine or shop with Jumeirah. 

Building on this success, Jumeirah Group became a member of Dubai Holding in 2004, a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, initiating a new phase of growth and development for the group. Jumeirah has extensive expansion plans to grow its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts into key gateway or letterhead cities and aspirational resort destinations worldwide.

Currently, the Group has several luxury five-star properties under development in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives, Bali, Thailand, China, Argentina, Spain, England, Scotland, Germany and the US Virgin Islands.

For further information please contact:

Jumeirah Group Corporate Communications
Samantha Dancy
Corporate Communications Manager
PO Box 214159 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971-4-364-7959
Fax: +971-4-301-6655
E-mail: Samantha.dancy@jumeirah.com
Visit us at: www.jumeirah.com