This is the most sacred of the festivals in Islam and a very spiritual time. In the areas where the muslim population is high there will be intense preparation for the coming season which lasts around 4 weeks
Rising up the hill but only a few kilometres away from the seashore the market area of.........is normally controlled by the mainly muslim gem marketeers. Any other time this are of narrow streets with white washed cottages huddled together would be the centre of the gem trade where there would be fierce positioning for the best gems. International buyers may also attend here , some by appointment for the best pieces.
At this time though the collective organisation of books of tickets for iftah ( a feast of food attended after fasting from sunrise to sunset begun with a sip of water)is the order of the day.
The shops are closed and the milling in the streets whilst intense is not due to the precious stones that the traders bring to sell but a community based project to ensure everyone has the opportunity to sit at the table with all of its offerings.
