Month of Ramadan is the name of a direct blessing from the Almighty Allah. Complying Muslims are taking Sehri at last part of nigh, keep fasting all through the day and then have Iftar. During this month with regular day-long fasting devoted muslims keep pray more than any other times of the year. Male or female, every buddy contributes their best to prayer. Idle or employee, lower to higher level everywhere, during this month muslims are dedicated to their prayer.
From households to workstations everywhere is the same scenario. Day long fasting along with five times of Salat, is common to most of the adherent muslims during this holy month of Ramadan. Beside this, use of Attar, Prayer rug (Jai Namaz), Muslim Cap (Taqiyah) been increased during this period. In every prayer they use Panjabi, Muslim Cap and attar to confirm a holy outlook and environment.
And keep Prayer rug to concentrate a little comfort when they are in prayer. Thus these things' sales have been increased remarkably. Not only in capital but throughout the country such scenarios have been seen; from retailer to whole seller, everywhere. We have very few manufacturers in our country for it, which are never going to find top place of the statistic. So we need to import Prayer rug from other countries.
Pakistan, India, Middle East, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Turkey and Kazakhstan are the noteworthy. Being the muslim country, they know real muslim traditions and according to those they are exporting not only jai namaz, but also many other muslim traditional items to demanded market place of the world. Beside it, some importers are also importing jai namaz from China also. As the whole world is running with the free market economy; every upcoming moment is precious than the previous one and competition is everywhere.
Whole sellers and retailers are conscious enough to provide a better quality item to customers within the cheap price. From last couple of decades though China is the top exporter for every type of products and it's still sustaining. And to get comparatively good products at lower price, importers are having interest on Chinese products. However, during Ramadan such type of products find their real demands.
For Attar, Prayer rug and Muslim Cap; Baitul Mukarram is the mentionable place in the capital. Besides, City Heart Shopping Center, Bongobazar Hawkers Market, Pir Yaminee Market, New Market, Rajdhani Super Market, Alpona Plaza, Eastern Plaza, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Shimanto Square, Rapa Plaza, Genetic Plaza, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Mukti-Joddha Haque plaza, Shah Ali Plaza, Mukti-Joddha Super Market, Mouchak Market, Karnophuli Garden City, Jatrabari Samad Super Market, Rajlaxmi Shopping Complex are the places where various type of prayer rug is available also.
There you will find verities of design and quality. Price ranges are from Tk-350 to 2500. Usually there are 2 types of prayer rug: Handmade and Machine made. Handmade are expensive than the machine made. As the records are saying that till now Persian handmade prayer rug is in the top position of expense. Then Turkish, Pakistani, Indian and other country's manufacturer remain. Whatever the quality is but to have core hearted pray a prayer rug is essential for all devoted muslims.
Another essential item for prayer is Muslim Cap (Taqiyah in Arabic), in our Bangla it is called, Namazer Tupi. It's also available with verities design and quality. All are made with cotton, fabric and colored yarn. They are mostly handmade. Some of them are crochet made.
A large amount of this prayer caps are from Banaripara of Barisal district. Along with this Rangpur, Gaibandha and Nilphamari district's local stakeholders fulfilling the demand of this local prayer caps. And some RMG industries are also engaged with it. Various colors are used to make this necessary prayer item, White, Black, Blue, Green, Magenta, Yellow, and even Red also. The price ranges are from Tk-40 to 600. And the price depends on the quality obviously.
Attar little bit luxury item but obviously carries the holy sense of smell for devoted muslims. Various smelled attar are available in our country. It's a cosmetic but hundred percent organic obviously. Prices are depending on the smell's type and longevity. They are always alcohol free. In our local market places price (per ounce) ranges are from Tk-250 to 10,000.
There are some expensive attars, which you must need to know; Cambode Moattaq $ 127 (3ml [0.1 oz]), Al Dewan $ 85 (6ml [0.2 oz]), Saltana $ 80 (3ml [0.1 oz]), Al Deman (3ml [0.1 oz]), Akaber $ 80, (3ml [0.1 oz]), Al-Maasa $ 66.67 (3ml [0.1 oz]), etc. They are popular to Middle East sheikhs.
As these are the precious materials, only some capable personalities can bare them. But to do a devoted prayer muslims always fond of good holy smell. And during this Ramadan such things demands climbed up. Following the demands of sale business margins reach in the height too. And the shop keepers' face delighted with pleasant smile. Yes smell brings the smile.
The writer is working with The Asian Age