![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CMSYLXOTA5BGRLH3RJ5SKIDZVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=03a49791f9cd56faea26edd7971d68791d80152c68ae7b13bfb86398a4fa2191&width=400&height=225)
The night is commonly cited as a favourite childhood memory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EE63KR345FC5DFSJMGALNWOTRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0ac0f867d5219326b655f34e07f4e24e7d9336bf1c8890d842546786b29c756&width=400&height=225)
Children look forward to Haq Al Laila every year. All photos: Hessa Al Najjar
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBZGVKIZX5CHNFI7MNJ3WZQI4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f56cd472367eef0210fe9f1dfcd6bf7cdf1d33420b826b9d2cbdffa4af8a447&width=400&height=225)
Stalls and booths are set up in gardens with treats for local children
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3NLI2IUUVFAA3KDZGEMQ5TTGPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dded74de9f827f8206ba6f9924d827611cff14322f86d01526b89c8fff6504d&width=400&height=225)
Children sing to their neighbours in exchange for nuts and sweets
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SX6RR6ERWFBZ3IHJ4F5XUJL4IA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0a35c7f45eaf6b0af64822f3dc62e95381db25b63b1f89d8680b16643a86dde&width=400&height=225)
In Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, Hessa Al Najjar prepared a festive booth for her children
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/REZITCQRMVD4XNOZVOPOQD4O5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=112301e93c99cf30d369a37aef0e87ac91bf793f7f56fad4649771ff3226c8bd&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Najjar described the celebration as a 'profound' part of her heritage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DPKUEVUPFRF3RLOPZ7TQYJSWQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fadd6926279ae97107254e5a7654c7fb9757ab2bb117a0156e4f5e58b62ede3&width=400&height=225)
The celebration fell on February 24 this year
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CMSYLXOTA5BGRLH3RJ5SKIDZVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=03a49791f9cd56faea26edd7971d68791d80152c68ae7b13bfb86398a4fa2191&width=400&height=225)
The night is commonly cited as a favourite childhood memory
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EE63KR345FC5DFSJMGALNWOTRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c0ac0f867d5219326b655f34e07f4e24e7d9336bf1c8890d842546786b29c756&width=400&height=225)
Children look forward to Haq Al Laila every year. All photos: Hessa Al Najjar
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MBZGVKIZX5CHNFI7MNJ3WZQI4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f56cd472367eef0210fe9f1dfcd6bf7cdf1d33420b826b9d2cbdffa4af8a447&width=400&height=225)
Stalls and booths are set up in gardens with treats for local children
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3NLI2IUUVFAA3KDZGEMQ5TTGPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dded74de9f827f8206ba6f9924d827611cff14322f86d01526b89c8fff6504d&width=400&height=225)
Children sing to their neighbours in exchange for nuts and sweets
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SX6RR6ERWFBZ3IHJ4F5XUJL4IA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0a35c7f45eaf6b0af64822f3dc62e95381db25b63b1f89d8680b16643a86dde&width=400&height=225)
In Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, Hessa Al Najjar prepared a festive booth for her children
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/REZITCQRMVD4XNOZVOPOQD4O5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=112301e93c99cf30d369a37aef0e87ac91bf793f7f56fad4649771ff3226c8bd&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Najjar described the celebration as a 'profound' part of her heritage
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DPKUEVUPFRF3RLOPZ7TQYJSWQY.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fadd6926279ae97107254e5a7654c7fb9757ab2bb117a0156e4f5e58b62ede3&width=400&height=225)
The celebration fell on February 24 this year
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CMSYLXOTA5BGRLH3RJ5SKIDZVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=03a49791f9cd56faea26edd7971d68791d80152c68ae7b13bfb86398a4fa2191&width=400&height=225)
The night is commonly cited as a favourite childhood memory
UAE families enjoy Haq Al Laila with local children
Celebration sees children dress up and sing for their neighbours in exchange for treats
![Salam Al Amir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F14cf208b-b6e1-4168-b2d6-fc412e925845.png?smart=true&auth=e3387949bf35bf75999cb80683180b835359c18c3a7854732b369d5d38909e7d&width=70&height=70)
Salam Al Amir
25 February, 2024
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