It is a popular traditional dish of Arab societies along the Arabian Gulf that is enjoyed by both men and women of all ages.
There is a great deal of similarity between harees from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Sultanates of Oman, with respect to ingredients, methods of preparation, occasions on which they are served, and rituals associated with the dish. The wheat that is used to make harees has been grown by communities in these countries since ancient times. During Ramadan and other social and national occasions, they prepare harees with the skills and methods they have preserved. A lot of folk stories, sayings, and poetry contain references to Harees.
In Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the practice of eating harees contributes to skill and knowledge transmission from generation to generation. It has always been the responsibility of mothers to prepare their daughters for a future in which they fulfill their duties as housewives in society.
To preserve, promote, and sustain the cultural heritage of Oman, they have taken a variety of measures, including issuing the Omani Cultural Heritage Law in 2019. For farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries conducts courses on modern methods for growing wheat and making harees. Establishing restaurants that serve traditional foods and supporting youth to open businesses that trade in grains. With the Oman Cultural Channel, Omani traditions and heritage are well promoted.
The Saudi Ministry of Culture established the Culinary Arts Commission in February 2020, which classifies restaurants, dishes, and chefs, establishes mechanisms and controls related to this art, documents and publishes recipes for Saudi and international dishes, promotes Saudi cuisine locally and internationally, and promotes research and studies. A social media initiative, Our Kitchen Legacy, was launched on April 16, 2020, to document Saudi food recipes through social media platforms.
Producing families, Women's Unions Organizations, Parent Councils, and Heritage Clubs at UEA provide workshops related to traditional foods for harees. Incorporating activities and information about harees into social studies lessons. Training courses are conducted by tourism and cultural departments in major hotels to train foreign chefs in making harees and certify them. A major role of the General Women's Union is to compete in traditional cooking competitions, promote heritage through state festivals, and support productive families. Emirati Cuisine Program was launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi in order to provide hotels with traditional Emirati dishes, such as harees.