MADINAH: Madinah experiences a sales boom during the Hajj season, due to the greater number of shoppers, especially pilgrims.
Textiles, ready-made garments, gold, silver, jewelry and electronics are the most popular items.
“There are many types of gold, including Kuwaiti and Bahraini, but local gold is the most requested due to its quality and diversity of designs,” said Suhail Al-Muhari, a salesman at a gold shop on Assalam Street.
Hajj Hassan Mohammed Hassan from Egypt said he bought prayer beads and rings for his brothers and relatives, and a handbag and a piece of cloth for his wife.
Shopkeeper Abdullah Abdul Hamid said traditional beads cost less than SR10 ($2.67), but “some pilgrims look for high-quality beads made from precious stones that are worth thousands of riyals.”
Dates are another popular gift, and date shops and markets abound.
“Pilgrims prefer to buy Ajwah dates,” said Pakistani vendor Mohammad Assem. “The price of 1 kg ranges from SR35 to SR80.”
Madinah businesses get sales boost during Hajj season
Madinah businesses get sales boost during Hajj season
Crown prince, US president discuss regional escalation in phone call
- Trump expressed Washington's condemnation of the blatant missile attacks against the Kingdom
- The crown prince also discussed the ongoing military escalation in a separate call with the president of Syria
RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a telephone call on Saturday from US President Donald Trump, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Trump expressed Washington's condemnation of the blatant missile attacks against the Kingdom, which were intercepted by the Kingdom's air defenses.
He affirmed US support for the Kingdom and its backing of all measures taken by the Kingdom to confront these Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region, SPA added.
In a separate call, Crown Prince Mohammed and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa discussed the ongoing military escalation in the region.
Al-Sharaa affirmed his country’s support for and solidarity with the Kingdom, SPA said in another report.
The Syrian president emphasized his country’s. rejection of any violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty or any threat to its security and stability.
