While the rising cost of luxury items has forced many in the Sultanate of Oman to change their lifestyles, it may not be a reason for some Muslim families to do away with their tradition of Eid celebrations.
During the last few days of Ramadhan, shoppers are seen thronging the markets and malls to shop for Eid. People spend more on shopping, mainly clothes. This is also the time of the year when supermarkets are usually packed with customers shopping for special Eid meals too.
“Eid is the time when families get together and there is a need for us to be well prepared. In this regard, I have to buy my children new clothes, shoes and other items. But I have to admit that the cost of many items have gone up,” Mohammed al Balushi, who was seen shopping for Eid at one of Al Seeb shopping centres, said.
Even if spending on luxury items has reduced, food is always in demand no matter what the crisis. People will always buy more amounts of foodstuff during Eid.
“We just can’t scale down shopping and cooking because of the rising cost. Eid celebrations come twice a year and we have to prepare ourselves. We just need to be careful about extravagance,” Mubarak al Dhawi, Al Amerat resident, said.
While not having to worry about the increase in prices of foodstuff as authorities monitor markets during Ramadhan to ensure price stability, people must not go overboard when shopping. “Setting a budget will help stay within the limit,” suggested a Consumer Protection official.
Muslims around the world will end Ramadhan by celebrating Eid al Fitr and preparations for this holy day start weeks earlier, which involves shopping.
The Ministry of Labour has instructed payment of wages to workers no later than Tuesday, April 18.
Abdulwahab al Busaidy, head of the observatory at Oman Astronomical Society, earlier told Oman Observer that the first day of Eid al Fitr, in all likelihood, would fall on Saturday (April 22).
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