Suhur Meal in the Kingdom

Suhur meal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the last meal that a fasting person eats before abstaining from food during the month of Ramadan and the days of fasting. Suhur begins after midnight and usually occurs early enough before al-Fajr (dawn) call to prayer. Family members gather to feast on the Suhur meal. In the evening, it is followed by the Iftar meal at the Maghrib call to prayer. As opposed to the traditional three meals distributed throughout the day, meals on fasting days begin sequentially in the evening, starting with Iftar until Suhur.

Among the professions that are associated with the Suhur meal in the month of Ramadan is 'Al-Musaharati.' Before the use of loudspeakers, al-Musaharati used to roam the neighborhoods and streets at the time of Suhur to wake people up and alert them of the approaching dawn, while beating his drum and chanting poetry.

Suhur meal time in the Kingdom starts from midnight until al-Fajr call to prayer. During Suhur, the fasting person eats a main meal, thus wrapping up all meals sequentially from the announcement of the start of Iftar time until the call for the Maghrib prayer. The Prophet, peace be upon him (PBUH), gave some directives concerning the blessings of Suhur to those who were fasting. He said, “Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it.”

It is possible to eat Suhur early. However, this meal is often delayed until just before dawn, while drinking a sufficient amount of water to avoid thirst during the day. Suhur meals often vary according to the food culture in each province of the Kingdom.

Types of food served at the Suhur meal vary in all provinces of the Kingdom. In Riyadh Province and most provinces of the Kingdom, the main meal is the Saudi Kabsa, whether meat or chicken, along with some other popular dishes. In Jazan Province, the Suhur meal consists of two foods: Thareet and Mafalet, both containing milk, current cornbread, white flour or wheat flour, and sugar. Some people eat Harissa sweetened with sugar or honey during the Suhur meal. In Najran province, the Suhur meal is similar to the Iftar meal, and people eat whatever grains and flour are available in their homes.

In Makkah al-Mukarramah, vegetables of various types and meats are served in various forms, such as Kebab, Muqalqal, Makhtum, or pasta with minced meat. Sweets are also served, such as Muhallebia, Sukdana, and Almassiyah. Some people eat Khashaf during Suhur, which is a type of liquid dessert made from boiled, filtered black raisins, with sugar and some types of nuts added to it. The mixture is then poured into a large bowl and left until it cools. This recipe is believed to cool the body. In the Holy Capital, some families prefer rice and meat with various flavors, such as Kabsa or Zurbian, and others prefer fried fish with white rice. Sayadiyah is one of the main foods during the Suhur meal for the people of Jeddah Governorate. In the Eastern Province, Suhur meals are characterized by seafood dishes and soups, including fish Mutabbaq, fish Mussahab (boneless fish), and grilled fish, in addition to shrimp. These meals are usually served at Suhur time. In al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, "foul" (fava beans) is the main dish in the Ramadan Suhur, and it is called the master of the Ramadan feast. In Hail Province, some popular dishes, including "Mahmoosa," are prepared.

In Al-Bahah Province, Suhur mostly consists of Asida and Leben or Khabza and Leben. In Tabuk Province, especially in coastal cities, a variety of seafood is prepared for Suhur. Particularly popular is Mansaf, which consists of beef or chicken served with rice and Shrak bread. In Qassim Province, rice with meat or chicken is a staple Suhur meal, alongside al-Ta'wah, made from wheat flour. In al-Jawf, Jareesh and al-Lakhufa are also commonly enjoyed during Suhur. In the Northern Borders Province, "Kabsa" is prepared as a main dish during Suhur in Ramadan. In Aseer Province, a number of dishes are served during Suhur, including: Kabsa, Radifa, and al-Mashghoutha.

In Saudi culture, the Suhur meal is celebrated annually as a traditional and heritage marking. Shops keep their doors open until Suhur mealtime, and certain restaurants extend their hours until dawn. Individuals come together to partake in Suhur meals, and volunteers of all ages are stationed around traffic lights to distribute water before the call to al-Fajr prayer.

Initiatives to provide Suhur meals often adopt an organized approach, particularly in Makkah al-Mukarramah. These initiatives are spearheaded by the Watering and Welfare Committee, in collaboration with various charities and individuals, aiming to distribute Suhur meals to Umrah pilgrims and visitors of the Grand Mosque throughout the month of Ramadan. Distribution points for the Suhur meals to pilgrims include the Grand Mosque, its surrounding courtyards, and bus stations.