(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) With less than a week to go for Eid al Fitr shoppers - many of them from outside Muscat - are heading to Muttrah Souq the oldest and trusted shopping destination.
The market sells everything from traditional outfits ornaments bags perfumes to toys crockery and mementoes say shop owners which is why many people prefer shopping here.
Abdul Aziz a shop owner at the souq said 'Business is thriving at the souq. The last week of Ramadan is always quite busy. While women shop for ornaments clothes bags perfumes toiletries and household accessories men usually look for kummahs perfumes walking sticks khanjars and traditional handicrafts.'
Midnight shopping adds to the charm. 'Shopping begins usually after the Maghrib prayers and goes on till around 2am. A lot of people from the sultanate's interiors also visit Muttrah Souq every year to shop for Eid. I don't think the rush has ever come down; it only increases every year' said Asharaf Kavai who runs a cosmetics shop inside the souq.
For Nizwa resident Ahmed al Harthy and his family Eid shopping is incomplete without a trip to Muttrah Souq. 'The place has a different feel to it. My daughters and wife make it a point to shop here for Eid. Though we also visit other souqs like the one in Seeb Muttrah Souq has a charm of its own.'
As Eid approaches hawkers too set up their wares for sale. 'The occasion is a good time for us as we offer products at a much cheaper price than established shops. A lot of people from across the sultanate visit Muttrah so there is always room for more business. We also offer customers especially last-minute shoppers more options' said Asif Usman a vendor in the souq.
However inadequate parking space remains a problem throughout the year for shoppers. 'One has to park the vehicle quite some distance from the souq. The problem escalates during Eid' said Jawad al Belushi a Muscat resident.
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