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LN MALLICK
Doha
WITH the Holy Month of Ramadan just around the corner, malls and hypermarkets in the country have made extensive arrangements to attract customers.
Malls have decorated their entrances with huge posters and lightings to welcome the customers coming for pre-Ramadan shopping.
Stores in various malls and hypermarkets have piled up food items like soft drinks, milk, rice, flour and spices as well as utensils,withannouncing special promotions and discounts.
Arabic Qahwa (coffee) and dates are the most sought-after items at the stores as Muslims follow the religious tradition of breaking their fast with them. Dates from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Tunisia are abundant in the markets this season.
The tradition of breaking fast with dates is rooted in religious teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who is quoted as saying:"When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates, but if he cannot get any, then should break his fast with water."
"Besides Arabic Qahwa and dates, demand for nuts, sweets and chocolates increases manifold with the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan," said a salesman at a hypermarket.
Perfume sellers are also witnessing brisk business."Most of our buyers look for organic and natural fragrances during Ramadan. A wide variety of fragrances are available at our outlet in preparation of Ramadan," said a shopkeeper, adding that his customers always make a point to look for non-alcoholic perfumes. The traditional oud wood, used as air-freshener, is also in high demand, he added.
Tailors specialised in male dresses also get huge stitching orders before Ramadan, as men prefer to wear new dresses for taraweeh prayers.
"We receive orders twice during this period. We get orders before the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan as worshippers look for new dresses for taraweeh prayers. We will also witness influx of customers in the second week of the holy month when they want their dresses stitched in preparation of Eid Al Fitr," said a Bangladeshi tailor in Al Aziziya area. He said the tailors at his shop work at least 14 hours a day, who are given overtime in addition to bonuses during Ramadan.
