The Town Square: The Guesthouse, the Free Inn, and the Community Gathering Place

The town square was located next to the shrine of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Hadmi. It served as a central meeting place where villagers gathered to resolve disputes, reconcile differences, and strengthen social bonds. It was also considered the village’s “free inn,” welcoming guests and visitors. Each night, one of the clans of Al-Shuyukh would prepare food and offer it in the square to the people. The square also hosted celebrations, social events, evening gatherings, and intellectual discussions.

In the 1930s, following the division of waqf lands in Al-‘Arroub, the square was divided into several smaller squares, each belonging to a specific clan (as narrated by Mukhtar Shahda Abdel-Hai Al-Halayqa). Researcher Adnan Oweidat from Al-Shuyukh suggests that the town square near Al-Hadmi Mosque dates back to Roman construction and served as a public guesthouse for more than 250 years.

Ramadan Traditions in the Square During Ramadan, men gathered in the square for communal iftar, each bringing a dish from home. Common meals included ruqaq (served with tomatoes, yogurt, and sumac), lentils, tomato salad or dried tomato peels, fatteh with yogurt, maftoul, jareesh, and fermented local yogurt mixtures, among other simple traditional foods.

Sweets typically consisted of dried figs (qateen) and raisins, while drinks included water and simple beverages such as qamar al-din. Lighting was provided by oil lamps, and seating consisted of mats woven from sheep’s wool.

The iftar table was prepared in a spirit of love, unity, and brotherhood. People would break their fast together, pray جماعة (in congregation), then stay for evening gatherings filled with storytelling, riddles, humor, and laughter. They also played traditional games such as al-naqda, al-sijjeh, and “Iqlib Ya Saj.”

After Taraweeh prayers, some would return home, while others stayed overnight in the square. Generations pass, but Ramadan remains.