Eid Al Fitr

Photo: Eid cards that are sent to relatives and friends.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).
Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqat al fitr (charity of fast-breaking) along with the zakat or alms which is a small percentage calculated based on personal wealth (money and gold).
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts or eidiya which is a small sum of money to children, and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.

Shawerma

Shawarma or shawerma (Arabic: شاورما) is a Middle Eastern-style sandwich usually composed of shaved lamb, or chicken. Shawarma is a popular dish and fast-food staple across the Middle East.After cooking, the meat is shaved off the skewer with a large knife, , dropping to a circular tray below to be retrieved. Shawarma is most commonly eaten as a fast food and is widely available in street stalls all over the Middle East ,it is made up into a sandwich with pita bread and rolled up together with vegetables and a dressing. Vegetables commonly found in shawarma sandwiches include onion, tomato, lettuce, parsley, cabbage and turnip or cucumber pickles depending on the region .Tahina dressing is used in Meat Shawarma sandwiches and a garlic dressing in Chicken Shawarma sandwiches along with the addition of french fries in some Arab countries.The bread used also might vary from country to the other such as buns in Egypt or Samoon/frangooni/fino which is similar to small french loaves but the most common is Arabic pita bread.

Arabic Coffee

Coffee Originated from Yemen and is a symbol of hospitality in the Arab World were most socializing revolve around a cup of coffee .The Arabic word Qahwah is the origin of kahveh,Coffee and Cafe.Coffee shops called ( مقهىor maqha singular, literally meaning "place of coffee-ing", plural مقاه or maqahi )are very porular and widely available through out the Middle East.

Traditional Arabic coffee (Arabic: قهوة عربية‎) refers to the way coffee is prepared in many arabic countries throughout the Middle East. There are two ways of preparing Arabic coffee. The first is the Bedouin way which contains cardamom; other spices are added when you buy it fresh. It has a special coffee pot and the coffee cups are small but with no handle. The portions are very small, covering the bottom of the cup. It is served in houses and in good restaurants by specially clad waiters and it is usually offered with the compliments of the house and is free.It comes without sugar and is a little bitter and is common in the Arabian Gulf States.

The other Coffee which is called Arabic coffee (qahwa Arabi, قهوة عربي) or Shami coffee since it is from the Levantine and the Levantine Arabs, that coffee was originally introduced to the world , is coffee prepared by boiling finely powdered roast coffee beans in a pot, possibly with sugar, and serving it into a coffee cup that has a handle, when the dregs settle.It is served in coffee cups with a handle and variations in the flavor, preparation, or presentation exists regionally between Arab countries such as Egypt ,Syria, and other.
The trees that produce Arabic coffee can measure over three meters in height. The leaves of the Arabic coffee plant are also comparatively large.

Fresh Markets

Fresh markets are a common sight throughout the Arab Middle Eastern Countries where an abundance of fresh produce of vegetables and fruits in all shapes ,colors and forms is available with certain varities of vegetables ,fruits ,herbs and dates native to and produced for local consumption in this region such as moloukhiya which is a leafy green veggie used in making stews and kulqas a root veggie .

Traditional Bread

Bread pronounced Qubz in Arabic is a staple consistuent of Arabic diet .A huge variety of breads are avilable throughout the Arab World , some varieties are native to certain countries or a favorite there however the small pita bread is the most well known to the world. Pita bread is rounded in shape and comes in different sizes( from tiny to large ) and thickness , common breads in the levant countries such as Syria,Lebanon as well as Egypt ,Kuwait and the Gulf countries are Tanuri,efranjuni,aish baladi,aish fino ,sammon and different homemade varieties native to the Gulf such as Khameer,mehala,shebab,qubz regag ..etc.
Also a big variety of loaves,rolls,buns,sandwich breads of all shapes and sizes is available'.
Pictred below is a very thin bread called Qubz Regag.

Arabic Desserts

Arabic Traditional sweets and desserts stand out as one of the most scrumptous, varied and distinctive desserts that you may ever encounter, There are the traditional desserts which are available all year long and some associated with the Holy month of Ramadan (fasting month) as well as Eid celebrations and various occasions.Puff pastry, phyllo is a dough native to the Middle East made from flour, water, and a little bit of oil. It is rolled into thin, nearly translucent sheets of dough and used to make such sweets such as baklava and a variety of others.Common ingredients in Arabic desserts are semonila,nuts,pistachios,almonds,walnuts,akawi cheese,Qashta a kind of clotted cream made from milk. Many varities are either soaked in a sugary syrup called kater or sheera or have it on the side.