Busy run-up to Raya for inmates

THE aroma of freshly-baked cookies permeated the spacious room where a group of women were immersed in various stages of preparing festive cookies.  

The scene resembled a domestic science class in school except that the ‘students’ were much older and were not the only ones in uniform. They were supervised by ‘teachers’ in brown starched uniforms who, although easy-going and friendly, were there to ensure that no-one behaved out of line.