During Ramadan, schools across Qatar prepared for Garangao night, a joyful tradition beloved by children. This year, Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE), reimagined the celebration as an educational and humanitarian experience that reflected the true values of the holy month.

Instead of focusing on abundance and appearances, the school adopted an approach that promoted the values of generosity, simplicity, and social solidarity. It provided practical guidance to parents, encouraging them to take part in the celebration in a way that brought joy to children avoiding the extravagance that were often associate with this occasion.

Yara Al Darwish, Assistant Principal of the Primary School at Qatar Academy Doha and a parent herself, explained:  “What inspired us to launch this initiative were the repeated observations about how some celebrations have shifted toward materialism and consumerism. 

“We wanted to address that by offering a different model, one that reinforces the true meaning of Garangao night and engages students in an educational and social experience that enriches their awareness and reflects the core values of Ramadan.”

“Over time, Garangao celebrations began to lose their original meaning and turned into occasions dominated by comparisons and extravagance. I clearly remember my son coming home one day carrying more than 25 large candy boxes from his classmates, that’s when I realized we needed to rethink how we approach this event and bring back its simplicity and true value.”

“This initiative helps reduce the excess often associated with Garangao celebrations by encouraging students and parents to adopt simple, mindful practices that align with the spirit of Ramadan.”

“It has effectively promoted awareness around responsible consumption, helped nurture a strong sense of community among students, deepened their understanding of others’ needs, and reinforced the idea that true joy lies not only in receiving, but in giving and meaningful participation.”

Al Darwish highlighted that this new approach to celebrating Garangao was made possible through  the support of Student Council. Central to the initiative was the launch of the “Dual Garangao Bag Initiative,” featuring two bags: a maroon bag for exchanging Garangao treats among students at school, and a blue bag, part of which was distributed to Palestinian children evacuated to Doha, while the rest delivered to children from low-income families through Qatar Charity.

Al Darwish also noted that the Garangao bags were made using reusable, eco-friendly materials, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainable practices into students’ everyday lives. In addition to this initiative, students engaged in traditional activities such as henna art, storytelling, and cultural games. 

 “This initiative offers great educational value by enhancing students’ awareness of social responsibility. It teaches them that their role goes beyond academic learning, it also includes making a positive contribution to their community.”

She emphasized that through students’ involvement in activities focused on giving and sharing with others, they gain essential life skills such as empathy, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility.

“What sets this experience apart is that it goes beyond being just a Ramadan event, it has become an educational and humanitarian model that can be adopted by other educational institutions. It brings together academic, social, and environmental values in a meaningful and integrated way