With only a few hours left for the holy month of Ramadhan to begin, all the shopping malls in Muscat witnessed a hive of activities as consumers thronged them for the last-minute purchase of necessities.
People of different nationalities were busy loading up their trolleys with food items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and dried fruits, dates, juices, rice, pudding etc.
While Muhamed Gafoor and his family from India were busy ensuring they had all the items on their list, many others are still talking about Ramadhan in the last two years when the Covid-19 pandemic upended it.
Gafoor said he was grateful to the Almighty and the authorities in Oman that life returned to normal like how it was before the pandemic.
"After two years of confinement during the holy month, we are blessed to have our loved ones together to celebrate Ramadhan this year. We will make it big, albeit under precautions," he said.
The authorities in the Sultanate of Oman have eased Covid-19 restrictions for Ramadhan this year, with the opening of all commercial establishments and allowing worshippers to return to mosques, albeit with a few restrictions, including social distancing and wearing of masks.
Various ministries and Royal Oman Police have already announced working hours during the holy month.
"All are trying to make the month more special. We always make something sweet when we end our fast, so I need to buy those ingredients," said Zaira Bebum at a hypermarket in Ruwi.
But Hamed Hussein was relieved that traders and other customers were adopting standard operating procedures such as wearing face masks. However, many were reluctant to maintain physical distance at the counters.
Hamed al Wahaibi in Ruwi said he had already stocked up on all those required days before. Still, he said, a few more items were left to be bought that he would buy late in the night.
"The market is lively with the presence of shoppers, compared to two years ago. I hope this festive feel will continue throughout Ramadhan," he said.
For Egyptian teacher Mohamed Mahboub, like all believers, Ramadhan is truly a special time because it brings all of the family together.
"It is important for many reasons, especially from religious and social viewpoints. So we have to fill up our home with enough food. You make sure you spend that time together that you might not otherwise have throughout the year.
Most shops will remain open until midnight during the holy month to allow shoppers to buy their necessities.
At all the malls and retail outlets, shoppers can also pick up attractive bargains and deals, including discounts, in some cases above 50 per cent on certain items, that are being offered as part of the Ramadhan campaign.
"We have lots of offers throughout the store during Ramadhan. We have locked the prices of several products across almost all categories and have a large number of very special offers in fruit and vegetables, meat, grocery and home," said Ashruff Kunnath, sales manager at a hypermarket.
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