Festivals in Muscat

All Muscat Festivals are observed in accordance with the Islamic calendar because Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a city predominated by Muslims. The popular festivals in Muscat include the following:

The Muscat Festival

The most celebrated event in Muscat is the Muscat Festival. Since its inception in 1998, this festival provides a month-long recreation to the people of Muscat. This festival which features the Omani cultural heritage is a medley of fun, excitement, adventure and entertainment. Traditional Omani folk songs and dance accompanied by artistic and intellectual exhibitions make this festival a colorful event. Children are very fond of this festival as it gives them an occasion to indulge in theaters, plays, entertaining shows and competition. A large number of tourists from all over the world visit Muscat to experience this cultural extravangaza.

Islamic New Year

Islamic New Year takes place on the first day of the month of Muharram. Since Islamic calendar is based on the revolutions of the Moon, the days in Islamic year are only 354 days, 12 days less than the solar year. Muharram, being a month of sorrow for Muslims, people in Muscat spend the day offering prayers in Mosques or reading and listening to the sacred words from Koran. Alcohol consumption and entertaining shows for public remain forbidden in Muscat on this day.

Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha is observed by commemorating the prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of his own son Ishmael in the name of God. On this occasion Muslims from all over the world scarifice a lamb or cow and then distribute its meat among friends and relatives. Some people even set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca in order to celebrate this festival.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims when they fast without water from sunrise to sunset. In this month, they take a meal once before sunrise known as suhoor and one after sunset known as iftar. During iftar they take heavy meals comprising of home cooked delicacies. All the family members come together to celebrate the occasion. There remains a ban on alcohols in Muscat all through this month. Most of the shops and restaurants remain closed during the day. Even drinking water in public during the day is fined.

Eid Al Fitr

The month of Ramadan ends with Eid Al Fitr when Muslims in Muscat visit friends and family and have delicious meals cooked specifically for the purpose.

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February 24, 2010 change by ashmita