Oman prepares for Eid al Adha

Both citizens and expatriates in the country are in a festive mood, making all preparations for the Eid al Adha, which falls on September 1.

Families flocked to the only flea market in the capital, Friday Market in Wadi Kabir, to buy clothes and household goods from Souq Juma on Friday.

“I am happy a large number of citizens and people from other countries living here have been coming to buy clothes and household goods for their homes,” Sultan al Ghabshi, a vendor specialising in traditional Arab dresses, told the Observer.

People started pouring in at the souq as early as 6.30 pm. It remained busy until 10 pm, although the usual closing time is 9 pm.

“We were open until 10 pm due to a large turnout, and business was quite good,” said another vendor dealing with women’s clothes.

The market caters to all demands, including turning into a cattle market prior to the Eid.

“We import cattle from neighbouring countries as well as buy from the local market. This is the only market that caters to the whole country in terms of cattle. People who head to their villages too buy animals from here,” said a vendor who imports from neighbouring Yemen.

Shoppers at OC Centre in Ruwi and downtown Ruwi too are witnessing a surge in demand for Omani clothes, dishdasha, musar, bisht, komma and the like, while tailors are toiling to meet their deadlines.

“We are working overtime to finish the orders we have received since the beginning of the month for Eid al Adha,” said an expatriate tailor, adding the coming days would be more challenging.

Eid al Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is an annual festivity for Muslims across the world with special mass Eid prayers and supplications.