Algerian markets teem with shoppers in Ramadan

By Dr. Omima Ahmed, IOL Algeria Correspondent

ALGERIA, November 14 (IslamOnline.net) – Contrary to previous years, Algerian markets have been witnessing a boom in Ramadan commodities, particularly clothes, this year. Observers give the credit to strict security measures adopted by the Algerian authorities during Ramadan.

Such security measures have allowed people to spend normal Ramadan nights and hang around in markets and crowded places, after having avoided them due to violence acts.

Ramadan this year is quieter and securer, encouraging Algerians to spend Ramadan nights outdoors, either in market places or entertainment places that are specifically opened for this holy month.

A wanderer of the streets of Algeria during this month notices a boom in purchase, as families get ready for Eid Il-fitr (Lesser Bairam) with buying new clothes for their children.

In Bab Al-Wadi Al-Shaaby district, that witnessed flooding catastrophe two years ago killing around 1000 persons, Ramadan environment overcame the second anniversary of floods, despite the attention given by the authorities to it.

Interior minister Nour El-Din Yazeed Zarhouny visited the neighborhood, accompanied by the National Consolidation Minister Gamal Ould Abbas, as they put a flower bouquet and read the Opening verse of the holy Quran.

Algerian Women Back To Shopping

Peddlers in Bab Al-Wadi compete to display their commodities on the pavements. Appearance of women and girls in such crowded places is remarkable, as they were not allowed to go to market places during Ramadan of previous years due to the acts violence.

During the nights of Ramadan, one can notice female faces looking at shop windows and examining the commodities displayed on the pavements.

Despite the complaints about high prices that are typical of Ramadan due to the high consumption rates, the crowds never disperse.

“I have three children…. I need 15000 Algerian Dinars, equivalent to my husband’s salary, to buy them clothes,” said Mrs. Sabrina. Here is the difficult equation between satisfying children and the constraints of the modest budget.

Contrary to Bab Al-Wadi district and to previous years, Mohamed Bluzdad district was gloomy and dull due to renovation works of buildings that were partially destroyed due to the earthquake that ht Algeria in May 21, 2003.

Cafés that carry the history of Algeria in this district closed down either to be renovated or completely destroyed.

Mosques Teem With The Faithful

Despite the marketing briskness in Ramadan, Algerians keep going to mosques with their women and children.

Large numbers of Algerians pray Al-Tarawih and some stay in mosques for a night or more before the last ten days of Ramadan.

During the last ten days of Ramadan, Algerian mosques teem with those who stay there day and night for worshipping.

It is said that armed groups usually intensify Jihad in Ramadan. Acts of violence of Ramadan in 1997 resulted in killing 3000 people. Such a number decreased gradually year after another with the improvement of the security situation in Algeria.

With the beginning of Ramadan, Algerian authorities intensified their security measures in the popular markets, public parks and crowded streets in Algerian cities.