Increase in sale of religious items during 'Ramadan' in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sept 15 : Muslim devotees are thronging book and cassette shops here to buy religious items like caps, beads, books and cassettes of devotional songs during the fasting month of Ramadan.

"We can offer prayers without the cap, but I took out time and bought the cap just a day before the holy month of Ramadan started. The shopkeepers do brisk business during the month of Ramadan. And since we are always thinking about the Lord, we make sure that we buy all the religious items like these caps, the religious which books people read at this time," said Parvez Ahmad, a customer.

The local traders in the Valley are happy as the high sale of religious items is spelling good business for them.

One shopkeeper who was selling cassettes said that since during the month people abstain from all worldly pleasures including listening to film music, the sale of cassettes of devotional songs has gone up manifold.

"The sale of Islamic items has gone up. I don't do this kind of business during the rest of the year. The fact is that during Ramadan we listen to devotional songs only," said Abdur Rasheed, a shop keeper.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours and poor.

During this month Muslims eat 'Sehri' (a pre-dawn meal) and at the day- end usually eat a sumptuous meal after 'Iftar' (breaking of fast).

The month long fasting ends with Eid celebrations.

ANI