“Foods, Values ​​and Beverages” .. on the tables of consolation councils

The consolation councils in the country, recently, witnessed an increasing spread of some practices that violate the authentic customs and traditions that the Emirati society is accustomed to, which is the use of specialized hospitality companies, to organize the reception of the mourning, while providing services that include various packages of foods and drinks, often exceeding the limits of simplicity that were distinguished by the condolence councils, which leads to an increase in the burdens Psychological and material on the family of the deceased.

Citizens believe that these practices move away from the true essence of consolation, which is based on synergy and compassion, especially since the services provided through them ranged between 2200 and 7,000 dirhams, according to the number of people who provide hospitality, the quality of hospitality, drinks, and foods provided, especially (legs), where some companies estimate the price based on packages that include the supply of tents, Arab coffee, dates, juices, and juices, And daily meals, which turns funeral into a financial burden that exceeds the capabilities of some families.

On the other hand, others supported the idea, considering that it contributes to reducing pressure from families, and allowing them to receive the mourners and receive condolences, away from preoccupation with arrangements and services, especially since these companies provide qualified teams that work throughout the three condolences.

While presented an integrated proposal entitled “The Protocol of Condolences”, aiming to enhance the respect of Emirati customs on this occasion, and to organize the presence of the mourners in a way that preserves tranquility, and prevents any aspects outside the social and religious context of consolation, after monitoring the spread of extraneous behaviors on the consolation councils in the country.

In detail, the citizen Rashid Saeed Al -Kaabi expressed his reservation to what he described as “exaggerated change” in the condolence councils, saying: “The use of hospitality companies and converting the occasion into an integrated organizational scene, the condolences lose its human nature, and the shoulders of the deceased in terms of cost and obligations”, calling for a return to the simplicity and tranquility that was distinguished by these councils.

On the other hand, citizen Sheikha Hassan Al -Mansouri saw that the use of hospitality services is not necessarily a departure from the traditions, but rather a practical means that helps the family of the deceased focus on receiving the mourners without preoccupation with the arrangements of service and hospitality, pointing out that some families do not have the ability to organize a consolation council alone.

And the opinion of the citizen Salem Muhammad al -Dhanhani, who considered that “time has changed, and consolation cannot be limited to the traditional style alone,” noting that the presence of specialized companies helps in providing hospitality in a decent and respectful manner without abuses, especially in light of the preoccupation of many families with the difficulties of the organization during the sadness period, and their inability to meet the requirements of large councils, in terms of reception and service, pointing out that these companies contribute to preserving the system, And reduce pressure from the family of the deceased, which enables them to devote themselves to receiving condolences and sharing attendance in an atmosphere of calm and arrangement.

For her part, citizen Fatima Al -Naqbi expressed her annoyance with the manifestations that she described as “exhibition” in some consolation councils, considering that “providing different meals and the presence of companies for the guarantor of the mourning of matters that were not familiar in our society”, demanding a focus on the essence of consolation and the feelings of sympathy, instead of exaggerating form and organization.

Among the senior citizens, the mother, Maryam Saeed Al -Naqbi, saw that “the condolences in the past were completely dependent on the cooperation of the neighbors and relatives, as the people of the deceased devote himself to receiving my condolences only, while those around them sponsor the preparation of lunch and dinner, and provide hospitality supplies over the three days.”

She pointed out that she supports the presence of those who help the deceased people to bear the burdens of hospitality due to the decline in the manifestations of societal cooperation that were more present in the past, through the use of ready and specialized hospitality services, stressing that the goal is to reduce the burden on the family of the deceased, and enable them to devote himself to receiving condolence And beverages, as it reflects the spirit of solidarity and social synergy, noting that despite this, this habit is still in some families adhering to their traditions.

The mother, Jamila Al Ali, indicated that the condolence councils in the past were distinguished by the spirit of cooperation and solidarity, as women from the people of Al -Freij (the neighborhood) had gathered since the morning to prepare the place, brush carpets and organize seats, while men receive the mourners and provide hospitality.

She stated that families were dependent on the food available in homes, and included hospitality, coffee, dates and water, and that the atmosphere was characterized by compassion and cohesion, away from any official aspects.

She emphasized that she does not support dependence on hospitality through specialized companies, and she believes that the community should return to the images of solidarity that were prevalent in the past, so that the consolation remains suitable for compassion, not to boast of exaggerated manifestations or spending, especially since the families in this circumstance are in yesterday the need for those who relieve them, not those who burden their shoulders at the cost.

“Emirates Today” contacted an employee in a private company working in the field of renting tents and providing wedding and consolation services, which confirmed that the demand for hospitality service in condolence councils, especially the men’s councils, witnessed a noticeable increase in recent years, pointing out that many families have preferred this option, because of the organization and effort it provides, especially in receiving the mourners and providing the duty of hospitality without being busy with details.

He explained that the cost of service ranges between 2200 and 7,000 dirhams for a period of three days, and the price is determined according to the number of people who provide hospitality, the quality of hospitality, drinks and foods provided, where the price is estimated based on packages that include the equipment of tents, Arab coffee, dates, juices, and various meals.

He added that the hospitality system varies from one emirate to another, as some UAE defines certain times to receive condolences, while councils are held in other emirates throughout the day, which affects the pricing mechanism and scheduling the tasks of work teams.

On the other hand, a project official in hospitality services for occasions, Rawan Al -Zaabi, stated that she had received several requests to provide hospitality service in condolence councils, but she apologized for her every time, due to prior associations on other occasions, such as weddings, graduation parties and receiving births.

She explained that her work system is based on an hour reservation, and not with the system of days used in most consolation councils, noting that the requirements of hospitality in such occasions differ, as most of them are limited to hot drinks and some popular dishes related to the councils, such as the values, mash, (legs) and others.

The proposal “Capture Protocol”

While the lawyer and legal advisor, Dr. Abdullah Yusef Al Nasser, presented an integrated proposal entitled “The Protocol of Condolences”, which aims to enhance the respect of Emirati customs on this occasion, and to organize the presence of the mourning in a way that preserves tranquility, and limits the manifestations outside the social and religious context of consolation, indicating his intention to present the proposal to the relevant authorities and institutions in the state, to study and adopt it As an organizational reference that keeps pace with the values ​​of society.

He explained that the proposal includes a set of guidelines that begin to confirm respect for traditions, by adhering to the national dress, avoiding the use of strong perfumes, and entering into the condolence council quietly without causing noise or dispersing to attend, as it calls for the use of traditional condolences, with the possibility of generalizing some unified phrases at the entrance to the council, avoiding entering into lengthy conversations or asking questions related to the death of the deceased, in order to preserve On the feelings of his relatives.

Al Nasser stressed the importance of not lengthening sitting inside the condolence council, except in the event of a special need, so that he offers condolences and then provides the opportunity for other mourners, which reduces psychological and physical pressure from the deceased’s family.

He pointed out that some modern practices, such as converting the condolence council into something similar to the official reception through teams to organize and provide multiple types of food The idea of ​​”removing” the occasion and turning it into a show scene.

He also called for the determination of clear times of consolation, distributed over three daily periods (morning, evening, and night), in a way that guarantees the comfort of the deceased’s family, and organizes the presence of visitors, taking into account the provision of organized sitting places that facilitate the movement of entry and exit and reduce congestion.

The proposal also included the innovation of an introductory badge for the families of the deceased that fixes clothes in neutral colors, and carries a brief description, such as (father), (son) or (brother), to facilitate the mourning of identifying to the family of the deceased and offering condolences directly to them, without confusion or embarrassment.

Al Nasser stated that his proposal aims mainly to preserve the prestige of consolation councils and enhance its organization in line with the authentic Emirati heritage, calling for the initiative to be studied by specialists in the field of culture and folk heritage, to ensure its compatibility with the values ​​of the Emirati society, and its adoption as an indicative reference that guarantees mutual respect, and provides psychological comfort for all those present.

A hospitality company employee:

. The cost of the service ranges between 2200 and 7,000 dirhams for 3 days, and the price according to the number of guest providers, its quality, drinks, and foods offered.