INDIA: Muslims across India hit the markets in large numbers ahead of the holy Eid-al-Fitr festival, amid rising prices
Record ID:
1372005
INDIA: Muslims across India hit the markets in large numbers ahead of the holy Eid-al-Fitr festival, amid rising prices
- Title: INDIA: Muslims across India hit the markets in large numbers ahead of the holy Eid-al-Fitr festival, amid rising prices
- Date: 8th August 2013
- Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (AUGUST 08, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) A BUSY MARKET WITH STALLS SELLING SWEETS AND CLOTHES A MAN LOOKING AT A SHIRT KEPT ON A STALL SHIRTS KEPT ON A STALL STALL OWNERS SELLING CLOTHES WOMEN LOOKING AT CLOTHES KEPT ON A STALL A MAN LOOKING AT THE CLOTHES VARIOUS SWEETS KEPT NEAR A STALL A MAN BUYING SWEETS VARIOUS SWEETS AND FOOD ITEMS KEPT IN UTENSILS A VARIETY OF SWEET LYING A SHOP FILLED WITH SWEETS A BOARD OF A SHOP READING, 'MODERN SWEETS' PEOPLE AT THE SHOP MAKING PURCHASES A VIEW OF THE SHOP A STALL AT THE SHOP A MAN STANDING INSIDE THE SHOP PEOPLE STANDING TO BUY FOOD PRODUCTS VARIOUS SWEETS KEPT ON ANOTHER STALL A MAN PUTTING SWEETS IN A BAG A BOY STANDING NEAR A SWEETS STALL MORE OF SWEETS VARIOUS SWEET STALLS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) MEHRAN KHAN, A MUSLIM LOCAL, SAYING: "I have been here for two hours and these days the markets are very crowded. People are making purchases as it is a big day for Muslims and comes only once a year. It is a very good day for earnings as people are buying food, sweets and clothes. People are especially buying clothes for children. It is very crowded and there is something for everyone - from cheap to expensive -- as rich and poor both are buying." BHOPAL, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 07, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) A CROWDED NARROW LANE PEOPLE BUYING CLOTHES IN A SMALL SHOP A MAN DISPLAYING CLOTHES TO A COUPLE IN ANOTHER SHOP A WOMAN WEARING A BLACK MUSLIM VEIL BUYING PRODUCTS IN A SHOP PEOPLE PURCHASING FOOD ITEMS DRY FRUITS KEPT ON PLATES ON A STALL PEOPLE BUYING PRODUCTS FOM STALLS A COUPLE LOOKING AT ITEMS PEOPLE STANDING AT VARIOUS STALLS A WOMAN SITTING AT CLOTHES SHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SYED ALI, A SHOPKEEPER, SAYING: "We are doing fairly good business but things are not the same as they were in the past. Because of price rises, there is a lot of difference now. There are a lot people coming but only few of them are customers. 10 people come together but only one out of them purchases." NEW DELHI, INDIA (AUGUST 07, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) THE ICONIC JAMA MASJID AT NIGHT A BUSY MARKET SWEETS KEPT IN A SHOP HEAPS OF VERMICILLI DRY FRUITS AND SPICES KEPT ON A TABLE SWEET DATES KEPT IN A SACK VARIOUS SWEETS DECORATED ON A STALL VIEW OF A SHOP PEOPLE LOOKING AT ITEMS IN THE SHOP A MAN TRYING AN INDIAN TRADITIONAL KURTA SHIRTS DISPLAYED ON A SHELF MORE OF SHIRTS THE SELLER FOLDING A KURTA PEOPLE SHOPPING A SHOP SELLING RELIGIOUS FRAMED PICTURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS URDU WRITINGS ON FRAMED PICTURE MUSLIM WRITINGS ON ANOTHER PICTURE A SHOP OF LACES USED ON CLOTHES VARIOUS COLOURED AND TEXTURES LACES KEPT LACES KEPT IN PILES PEOPLE BUYING LACES VIEW OF A BUSY MARKET
- Embargoed: 24th August 2013 10:02
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Business,Religion,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVABR0M80AGRH8AT9AGZY3VWA0IY
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Muslims across India hit the markets amid rising prices ahead of the Eid-al-Fitr festival, which would mark the end of the holy, fasting month of Ramadan.
People of all ages crowded markets where colourful Eid stalls had been set up offering special clothes and sweets.
A lot of middle class customers visit makeshift stalls where clothes and other items are cheaper and the only alternative for the less privileged.
India is expected to celebrate Eid, the biggest Islamic festival, a day after the end of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is celebrated to honour the Angel Gabriel's revelation of the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam, to the Prophet Mohammed at a meditation retreat in a cave about 1,400 years ago.
People in Srinagar city of India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state thronged the market to purchase new clothes and sweets.
"I have been here for two hours and these days the markets are very crowded. People are making purchases as it is a big day for Muslims and comes only once a year. It is a very good day for earnings as people are buying food, sweets and clothes. People are especially buying clothes for children. It is very crowded and there is something for everyone - from cheap to expensive -- as rich and poor both are buying," said Mehran Khan, a resident of Srinagar city on Thursday (August 08).
Families spend time together over Eid, exchanging gifts and sharing meals.
Eid is a time for visiting friends and family and it is customary to buy new clothes for the occasion.
However, with many consumers struggling in the wake of spiralling inflation, one shopkeeper reported that few visitors to his market were actually making purchases.
"We are doing fairly good business but things are not the same as they were in the past. Because of price rise, there is a lot of difference now. There are a lot people coming but only few of them are customers. 10 people come together but only one out of them purchases," said Syed Ali, a shopkeeper in Bhopal city of India's central Madhya Pradesh state on Wednesday (August 07).
Eid is due to be celebrated either on Friday (August 09) or Saturday (August 10), when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.
Fasting, charity, daily prayers, the declaration of faith and pilgrimage to Mecca are the five pillars of Islam. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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