"The excessive spending during Ramadan and Eid is totally ridiculous. What's the point?" asks Aicha, a citizen. The celebration of Eid in Kuwait spreads across the country, as people take advantage of their time off to the fullest, spending time with family, frequenting malls and restaurants and socializing with friends. However, how does Ramadan, the run up to Eid and Eid itself affect bank accounts across Kuwait? Given that Ramadan is a month where Muslims are encouraged to feel for those less fortunate, it's ironic that spending actually increases. However, don't fret quite yet - charitable contributions also go up significantly during this time.

So, how are budgets distributed during a month where attending and hosting meals becomes central to routines? Well, firstly, there's Ramadan to consider. Sara A, a citizen and mother of three said, "Ramadan is extremely expensive. You should provide quite extravagant Iftar meals and provide a good range of offerings at ghabqas, especially at the beginning of the month. You're also invited to meals and gatherings, to which you should take something, such as traditional sweets.

Whether you're hosting or attending, it's undoubtedly more expensive than other months." However, Aicha said, "I don't think it takes a toll on my budget. I stay in during Ramadan because of the traffic, so I spend a lot less money on going out. The money saved from that is what I use to cover additional costs that come along with Ramadan and Eid, such as buying gifts to take to gatherings.

Ramadan, and the spending associated with it, is met with further spending in the run up to Eid. Families rush out to purchase new outfits to wear for the festivities and, as a result, venturing into the malls becomes a nightmare. Fatima, also a citizen said, "If you arrive to an Eid family gathering and you're not nicely dressed, it would look really strange and people would wonder why you didn't make an effort." Men, however, have it much easier.

Fatima added, "Men can just wear the traditional dress (dishdasha) and that's it. They don't even have to think twice about what to wear. Maybe they'll get a new one for the occasion, but that's all they need to worry about." However, not all women succumb to pressures, "I think all the excess spending is ridiculous. You're seeing family, mostly, and you're bound to have an outfit that they haven't seen before, so why buy new? I used to buy new stuff for Ramadan and Eid, but I only wear them once and then
they pile up. I realized this year that I have many things that I've never worn, so I chose to wear them instead," said Aicha.

Eid gatherings differ between families, as some prefer having meals at home while others choose to go to restaurants. If families opt to head to a favorite eatery, they will usually still gather together at a relative's home to exchange gifts. For many, the gifts exchanged are usually an 'Eidiya,' which is an envelope containing cash. The notes are usually brand new, and the denomination depends on the age of the recipient.

Eidiyas are another costly part of Eid as each adult, working male is expected to provide them to his children, spouse, female siblings, parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews. His brothers will do the same, and by the end, each family member will usually have amassed a considerable sum. Mohammad, a Jordanian expatriate, said that the trend of giving expands out of one's family. "If family friends come to visit, you're obliged to give their children an Eidiya. Sometimes neighbors or friends will see your kid
s in the hallway and give them an Eidiya, which means that you should stop by and reciprocate as well.

Eidiya can build up to quite a sum, depending on the giving habits within each family, so everyone ends up with a considerable sum of money by the end, "I usually end up with around 4 or 500 hundred KD by the end," says Fatima. All prosper, except, of course, for the Eidiya providers themselves who, contrastingly, expend considerable amounts. Depending on the size of the family, the amount spent on gifting Eidiyas can range considerably. However, once a son within the family begins working and is making a steady income, he takes the role of the Eidiya giver.

Furthermore, once women begin working, they no longer qualify for the Eidiya from their parents. "This is the last year that I'm going to receive an Eidiya from my family. To be honest, it's a big incentive in making sure you attend the events. I really don't know if I'm going to have the same drive to attend the family gatherings next year!" said Fatima. Aicha added, "I'm not giving Eidiya this year as I'm not working yet, and it's incredibly expensive to give to everyone. If I do give, I give it immediate family members only.

Throughout Ramadan and Eid, purchasing sweets, clothes, and gifts for others certainly tends to increase. Even Aicha, who noted that the spending is excessive, still spends more than she usually does but balances it out by going out less. However, giving doesn't stop at a tray of sweets or an envelope of cash.

Charitable spending also increases, as Muslims make charitable donations throughout the month of Ramadan, said Mohammad. Companies set up tents and bring in masses of food for the poor to break their fast with and people make donations of money, clothes and food. He added that people are very aware of their obligation to be more giving with those less fortunate, and even try and out-do others in their generosity. He added, however, "Boasting about how much charity you gave totally defeats the point and the effort you made will no longer be judged positively by God. It should be a selfless act, not self-promoting.

Zakat Al-Fitr is another form of charity which is specific to Ramadan, where money is paid to charity by the head of the family on behalf of its members, "It's usually around 1 KD paid for each family member during the last 10 days of Ramadan." Mohammad said.

For the economical and excessive alike, Ramadan and Eid certainly appear to increase spending. However, some, like Aicha, manage to balance things out and avoid over-spending while still enjoying the festivities. Sara also strives for balance, adding "I don't judge people who spend a lot during Ramadan and Eid.

If that's what makes them happy, then great. I do think, however, that if they can afford brand new outfits and extravagant gifts, their charitable contributions should also be higher. Overspending and then skimping on charity, all in the name of religion, is wrong. Spending what you can afford is just as applicable to charitable giving as it is to all the other expenses throughout the month. - kuwaittimes