Egyptian vendors move to capitalise on Salah-mania
Football star’s image splashed on popular Ramadan items such as lanterns and dates
“We have done a good business thanks to Abu Makkah,” said Mahmoud Hegazy, a lantern vendor in the district of Al Matariya in North Cairo, using Salah’s popular nickname.
“People admire Mohammad Salah not only for his sports career, but also because of his modesty and charity works,” Hegazy told Gulf News.
Salah has reportedly made generous donations to charities supporting the poor across Egypt.
Wooden lanterns adorned with Salah’s picture retail from 80 Egyptian pounds (Dh17) to 400 pounds each, depending on the size, according to Hegazy.
Selling for a premium
The Chinese-made lantern shaped after the player sells for 220 pounds, a high price compared to the price of the Egyptian-manufactured versions.
“This is because this Chinese lantern is considered a toy imported in dollars, which has increased since the flotation,” explained the merchant. ■
In November 2016, Egypt floated its local currency as part of harsh economic reforms, resulting in a steep depreciation of the Egyptian pound.
In 2015, Egypt banned imports of foreign lanterns in an attempt to protect its endangered industry at home.
The ban was part of a wider governmental effort to promote Egypt’s traditional handicrafts.
“Despite the high price of the Salah Chinese lantern, there has been a high demand for it,” said Hegazy, who added that he has almost run out of stock of the toy and ordered a new supply.
Brand appeal
Salah also dominates the local market of dried dates, a popular food during Ramadan.
The premium type of dates this year is named after Salah.
“Every Ramadan, we give dates names of famous people as a way of attracting customers. This year it is Mohammad Salah,” said Fatallah Darwish, a dates merchant in Al Matariya.
One kilo of Salah dates sells for 50 pounds, the highest price in the market.
The Ramadan fast is traditionally ended by consuming dates, which are either dried or soaked in water following the example of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The fruit nourishes the body and makes up for the energy lost during the long hours of fasting.
“Salah has become a good example for Egyptians and a source of their joy,” added Darwish who sells the dates carrying the name of the Liverpool marksman in a packet fronted with his picture.
“Even people who are not interested in football highly respect him because he is wellmannered and a benefactor,” said the 52-year-old merchant.
Salah has recently gained cult status in Egypt, with his news being a daily staple in the media. He champions a television advert promoting a government campaign against drugs.
Officials say the campaign has elicited a positive response.
Salah is widely regarded in Egypt as a symbol of hardearned success and humility.
Salah was instrumental in Egypt’s qualification to the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a 28-year hiatus.
An Egyptian court on Tuesday granted an appeal by celebrated singer Sherine against a jail sentence and acquitted her of disparaging the River Nile, legal sources said.
The ruling was issued by the Moqattam Appeals Misdemeanour Court in Cairo, revoking the sentence earlier passed by a lower court, the sources added.
Sherine sparked an outcry last November after a video clip surfaced online showing her being asked by a fan at a concert outside Egypt to sing a hit song of hers praising the Nile.
In response, the singer mockingly says: “Drinking from the Nile will get you Bilharzia. Better, you drink Evian!” — a French bottled water brand.
In February, a misdemeanour court sentenced the 37-year-old diva to six months in prison on charges of defaming the country.
At the time, the court also ordered Sherine to post a bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds (Dh 1,043) to stay out of prison pending her appeal.