ISLAMABAD: Traditional Ramadan festivity is in full swing in Islamabad as seasonal vendors are seen selling religious goods and markets have set up separate corners for Iftar cuisines like pakora, samosas, and jalebis (traditional sweets).
According to a survey, restaurants and even dhabas (small food huts) are offering unique dishes for Iftar to cater to more customers. During sehri and Iftar, many hotels and restaurants have more activity; as it’s becoming more popular to host guests for sehri and iftar meals, local eateries are putting on “special bargains” to entice patronage during Ramadan.
During the holy month of Ramadan, typical deep-fried snacks like pakora, samosa, jalebi, and kachoris are more in demand because the “Iftar table” is deemed incomplete without these traditionally fried food items.
Seasonal vendors sell religious goods like prayer beads, caps, and mats on drive carts and motorbikes on various highways and nearby mosques. Special vehicles march Islamabad’s various sectors and streets selling Holy Quran and other Islamic books. All these activities have created a soulful feeling of the holy month of Ramadan.
A vendor selling prayer beads on his motorbike in the F-7 sector told WE News that he sells items in accordance with the festivity. “I am selling prayer beads on my bike in various markets and the residential sector of Islamabad. I am happy that people buy these beads on the roads as they forget their own at home and want to pray while doing their routine tasks.”
He was of the opinion that people give him some extra money as well as charity. He has five children and lives a hand-to-mouth life like many others in this country.
He added that he got these items at wholesale rates from Rawalpindi, and many items imported from other countries were in high demand, yielding better profits. He said, “During the holy month, people buy prayer beads and perfumes as gifts for friends and family while visiting Iftar parties.”
Muslim devotees utilize prayer rugs or mats during the holy month, and demand for and sales of these items have surged nationwide due to this increased prayer and charitable giving.
