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chains that used to be worn round the neck. (Such golden
hats could still be seen worn in weddings on the heads of
young princesses).
Such jewels are later on either sold or smelted.
However, there are currently sold in the gold markets of
Saudi Arabia many exquisite old silver jewelry that may
be more than two thousand years old. Particularly famous
are bedouin jewelry in the Eastern Province.
Bedouins are often seen, in the mountainous villages
and small towns in the northern and southern parts of
the country, wearing a curved dagger tied to a wide belt
decorated with silver badges. Such middle size daggers are
called “janabiyyah”, the blades whereof have a slight curve.
The sheath is definitely an artistic work of smithery. Some
of these daggers have a strongly curved end and a pointed
head, sometimes ending in a precious stone or jewel. This
shape of the dagger has a functional justification, for a
bedouin would spend a lot of time on the saddle and a
sharp and straight blade that is constantly worn on the
waist could hurt the rider. Until the fifties of the Twentieth
Century the great majority of males in the Peninsula used
to carry such a weapon, which was a symbol of prestige.
If this weapon were of the normal size, it would give the
impression that the holder was ready to attack or to defend
himself. But if a guinea is suspended from the belt, then
this would be an indication that the wearer is a peaceful
man wearing same as merely a kind of adornment, as arms
are the adornment of men, as the proverb has it. However,
this kind of weapon with its studded sheath can only be
seen in special celebrations, traditional rituals or during
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traditional men’s collective celebrations.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia uses the Hegira
Calendar, which began with the migration of the Noble
Prophet (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina.
Each month represents a full moon cycle whose duration
is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.78 seconds, or 30
days. In short, the month begins with the “birth” of the
crescent and ends when it wanes at the end of the month.
Every three years, one day is added, in which case there
would be a leap year. I remember how, at the beginning
of our stay in the Kingdom, the local women would find
it difficult to remember the year, month and day of their
birth when asked about same. I realized later on that this
was because they would be trying to convert the Hegira
(moon) Calendar to the Gregorian (sun) Calendar.
The Kingdom celebrates two religious occasions, Id al-
Fitr, at the end of the month of fasting, whose celebration
continues for three days, and during which children wear
new clothes and buy toys and sweets; and Id al-Adha, which
lasts four days, during which sheep are sacrificed at the
conclusion of the pilgrimage and their meat is distributed
among the poor and relatives. On such occasion, members
of the family meet together and exchange presents.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic Calendar.
It was in the month of Ramadan that Allah Almighty has
revealed, through the angel Gabriel, the first verse of the
Holy Quran, to the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him.
During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink
from dawn to sunset. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.
However, fasting is not just abstaining from food and drink;
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it is also an occasion of meditation and remembrance of
Almighty God and His Noble Prophet, peace be upon him,
and of performing fruitful deeds, more than at any other
time in the year, particularly the performance of acts of
charity. It is a test of strong will and firm spirit; it is a test
of personal attributes of each individual; it is a realization
of the wish to share surplus money and to give generously
to those that need help. It is the month which is described
by the Holy Koran as “the month of Ramadan in which
the Quran was (first) bestowed from on high as a guidance
unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance.”
All believers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia readily
obey God’s words and follow the Sunnah of His Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him. Thus they make a point
of fasting during this month, which fasting has beneficial
effects for the body and is also an occasion of moral
training of the believers to overcome difficulties. Thus,
man purifies himself and devotes his endeavors to the
worship and obedience of God. Exempted from fasting are
children below fifteen, travelers, breast feeding mothers,
pregnant mothers and the sick. Non-Muslims, who live in
the Kingdom, observe the fasting of Ramadan and other
tenets of Islam, by refraining from breaking the command
in public. Moreover, Muslims who are unable to fast for
a few days during Ramadan have to fast a corresponding
number of days in another month or months.
In the past, canons used to be fired in major cities,
immediately before the time of cessation of eating and
drinking, by way of informing people of the beginning
of the day of fasting. This is still done in Mecca and
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