Crowds drawn to Ramadaan exhibition
Feasting before the fasting, with something for everyone
MONDAY MAY 07 2018
THE Castle of Good Hope turned into a Cape Malay cultural centre this weekend as people from all over the Cape came to the Spice Mecca Ramadaan For All 2018 exhibition to explore the delights on offer.
Stalls offering dates and vegetables, Ramadaan essentials and trips to Mecca and Israel displayed their information and wares, while the smell of curry and spices wafted in the air, luring visitors to the Spice Mecca Cook Easy Lifestyle show.
The crowd, which ranged in age and came from various cultural backgrounds, expressed their excitement as they put their names in the hat for the R10 000 draw.
“I’m very impressed with it and I was amazed. I was here yesterday the whole day and I’m back here again today. It’s absolutely fantastic, they did a fantastic job,” said Warda Isaacs.
Store promoter Aasiya Salasa said the weekend had been non-stop busy from morning till night, with people queueing outside the entrance of the Castle of Good Hope to get in.
“Since 9am it’s been busy. We were supposed to close at 9pm last night, but we left much later because it was so full. It’s going great,” said Salasa.
The pre-Ramadaan exhibition is a first for Cape Town and it sets the scene for the coming month of Ramadaan, which is the spiritual month of fasting for Muslims around the world.
The event, which started out in 2010 as a marketplace for Ramadaan shopping, has since grown into an event that focuses on community development and religious engagement – with the special aim of attracting individuals from all faiths and backgrounds.
Spice Mecca chief executive Shreef Abass said the event hopes to reflect the teachings of spiritual leader Tuan Guru, who opened one of the first Muslim school in the Cape.
I’M VERY IMPRESSED WITH IT … I WAS HERE YESTERDAY THE WHOLE DAY AND I’M BACK HERE AGAIN TODAY. IT’S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC