TAIF — In the Taif Governorate, western Saudi Arabia, the Ramadan iftar experience transcends the culinary to embrace the aromatic essence of the region's renowned roses. Situated below the Al-Hada Mountains, Taif's verdant valleys bloom with roses, attracting families during Ramadan for a unique iftar experience amidst the sweet fragrance of the season's first flowers. This year Ramadan coincides with the rose blooming season, and the area is enveloped in a delightful scent for 42 to 50 days, peaking in early summer. The diligent morning harvest ensures a bountiful supply for locals, integrating the rose farms into the Ramadan celebrations. Families, seeking respite and communal joy, gather among the roses, enhancing their iftar tables with lanterns, fresh roses, and rose-infused refreshments, courtesy of the local farmers' agricultural prowess. This tradition underscores the roses' economic and cultural significance, linking them to globally acclaimed perfumes. Witnessed by a Saudi Press Agency reporter, the farms morph into bustling social spaces during Ramadan evenings, adorned by the multicultural visitorship. Farmer Khalaf Al-Nimri highlights the unparalleled joy of communal iftars in these fragrant settings, marking a cherished deviation from everyday life, set against the backdrop of Taif's blooming roses.
