Indulge in a Sweet and Heartwarming Journey: Exploring the Preparations for Eid al-Fitr in Gaza
Blog by Rajaa Jadili
Get ready to indulge in a sweet and heartwarming journey as we explore the preparations by Palestinians in Gaza for the beloved celebration of Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan - from the mouth-watering traditional sweets and confections like ka'ak, ma'amoul and chocolate to the inspiring stories of women like Um Mohammed Abu Diba’a and Yasmin Heikal , who turn their passion for making sweets into a source of income for their families. In in this festive season,it is all about spreading joy and goodwill. Join me as we delve into the wonderful world of Eid al-Fitr in Gaza, where the spirit of community and celebration is alive and thriving.
In Gaza, some women use this occasion to earn income, a practice that has been a tradition for many years. Um Mohammed Abu Diba’a, for example, is a 48-year-old mother of eight and grandmother of 20 and spends most of the year in her modest home preparing popular Palestinian dishes such as maftoul, pastries, and rice dishes. During the Eid seasons, she makes and sells ka'ak to people and local organizations. She has been honing her craft for the past ten years and she supports four families with her income, including her three married daughters who live in the lower floors of her house and assist her daily.
Similarly, Yasmin Heikal also turned her passion for making sweets into a business. Yasmin creates unique designs in chocolate, using special Belgian and unsweetened chocolate. Her children and her husband, a Palestine refugee who is currently unemployed, help her with her creations. Her son, Anas, who is an eighth-grader at an UNRWA school in Khan Younis, helps her purchase the necessary raw materials and promotes her products through her Facebook page. Recently, he also created an Instagram page to expand the reach of her products. For now, her chocolate-making enterprise is the only source of income for the family of eight. She hopes to receive support to develop her business further to improve the family’s difficult financial situation.
Many will purchase these treats for their own families’ enjoyment, while some people donate them to spread the festive spirit to those who may not be able to celebrate in the same way.
Beyond the entrepreneurs, many refugees in Gaza celebrate Eid al-Fitr by making their own traditional sweets such as ka’ak and ma’amoul, which are associated with festive occasions. The process of preparing these confections involves a sense of joy and camaraderie, as children participate in their creation alongside adults.
