End to Covid curbs spurs Ramazan sales

Prayer mats, hats and other items selling fast

KARACHI:

Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and the result is a 50-70 per cent increase in the sale of items used for worship during the month of Ramazan. Caps, rosaries (tasbeeh) and mats have been selling like hot cakes.

Philanthropists are also donating items to mosques and madrassas. However, the demand for these locally made goods is higher than imported ones due to the latter's low prices.

This was stated by Muhammad Sameer and Mursalin, two vendors selling the good told The Express Tribune. Muhammad Sameer, a man who sells mosques and madrassas mats, says business conditions have been extremely volatile during the last two years of Ramadan due to Covid-19.

He said that due to the lockdowns of the last two years, items used for namaz and taraweeh in mosques, madrassas and Imam-Bargahs were sold on a limited scale.

However, after a long hiatus, the sales of the items have increased to an encouraging extent with the lifting of restrictions in Ramazan of 2022. He added that new mats are being purchased on a large scale for mosques before the holy month. "Puchases of philanthropists and the management of mosques are making the businesses flourish.

"In the month of Ramadan this year, business activities have increased by 100 per cent," he revealed.

Muhammad Sameer further told that "nylon mats have two qualities. The price of good quality mat with four feet width is Rs. 65 per feet while the second class mat is Rs.55 per feet".

He further stated that the demand for nylon mats, prepared in Gadoon Amazai Industrial zone of K-P, took an upward trajectory this year. "Its length is about 25 feet or more and these mats are used in mosques and madrassas in low-income community's areas."

Muhammad Sameer continued that there were different qualities of mats being prepared in Jhang. "The price of a first class mat is Rs75 per foot and second class is Rs60 per foot. The trend of buying these mats is high."

Muhammad Sameer said that carpet mats are laid in the inner courtyards of big mosques and imambargahs and it has a musalla with it. These carpet-shaped mats are four feet wide. These include both domestic and foreign mats and they are sold at Rs225 to 800 per square foot.

"Mats of good quality are being sold for mosques located in posh areas.

Another vendor, Muhammad Mursalin, who sells prayer mat says the folding variety of hi product is sold to loved ones during the month of Ramadan.

"The price of different types of mats ranges from Rs350 to Rs2,500 and above. "In general, philanthropists not only donate these to mosques, madrassas and imambargahs for the reward of their deceased, but also give them as gifts to friends and loved ones."

Amiruddin, a shopkeeper who sells the Holy Quran, reveals that it is the recited most in the month of Ramazan. He adds that besides mosques and madrassas, the tendency to recite the Holy Quran in homes also increases.

"The Holy Quran is available in the market both with simple translation and commentary (tafseer) and, in general, people tend to be more interested in the Quran with translation and interpretation."

He adds that the sale of a set of thirty verses of the Holy Qur'an and the sale of surahs are also on the rise. "Their prices are different and at least Rs500 or more." He states that a large number of philanthropists donate the Holy Quran to mosques and madrassas before the month.

In addition, electronic Quran is also available in the market with a price of 4500 or more and mostly those people seem to be interested in it who can't read or want to correct their pronunciation. A large number of Holy Quran have been purchased for Ramadan this year; he added.

Muhammad Sameer, a shopkeeper who sells rosaries (tasbeeh), said that the sale of rosaries has increased even before Ramadan.

He added; that different types of rosaries including wood, plastic are being sold besides stone and glass made rosaries. They range in price from Rs. 20 to Rs. 1000 or more. Mostly electronic rosaries are being sold. Their prices ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 500, however, sales of the usual locally made rosary are high; he added. Hat seller Muhammad Sameer said that the use of hats increases during Ramazan. Due to the high prices of foreign hats, local hats are being sold more for prayers

These hats are made of fabric, thread, plastic and other types of material. The price of a dozen ordinary hats of cloth is Rs.260 to Rs.360 and to the heat, the cap made of membrane thread is being used more by the people and its price per cap is Rs 50 to 200 rupees.

He further told that; Plastic hats are being donated to worshipers in mosques. The price of which is 200 rupees a dozen. Besides, expensive types of hats are also being sold.

Muhammad Sameer told that prices of these items fluctuate with the rising value of the dollar.

Zaid, who sells Miswak (wooden tooth brush), said that although the sale of Maswaaks continues outside mosques throughout the year, the use of miswak in the process of wudoo 'for prayers and taraweeh during the holy month of Ramadan increases. Due to which the sales volume of miswak in Ramadan also increases as compared to the whole year because for the sake of reward, the middle and low income class keep maswak in the mosques for the purpose of earning reward (sawaab).

He further told that; at present, different types of miswaks are being sold which are priced from Rs. 30 to Rs. 100 or more.

He added that during the month of Ramazan, some people sell miswak outside mosques as a part-time job.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2022.