Cairo shop owners have been complaining that work is quite slow because the customers and tourists are not interested in buying wares or coming anymore to Egypt during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. El-Hussein market, which was usually full of customers, has been affected by the political turmoil and financial shortage that have gripped the country after the January 25 revolution, the owners agree. Customers, as well as Arab tourists have almost stopped buying despite an attractive discounts that are being offered on all locally made products and souvenirs, complains shop owner Ahmed Farid, who sells leather products in el-Hussein Square. Recently, the streets surrounding the mosque and the near by el-Mosqi Market, have witnessed a series of bloody clashes between thugs and street vendors. Many owners had to close their shops lest they should be destroyed or plundered by the thugs. The shop owners on Khan el-Khalilli Street have blamed the political unrest, which has been gripping the market since January, for the slowdown in their business. "There is a severe drop in activity during the peak season that runs from Ramadan 1 until the third day of Eid el-Fitr, the feast that comes after Ramadan, because of the current political situation," Adel Ishaq, who owns a souvenir shop said, adding that he was forced to lay off three employees over the past two months because he could not pay their salaries. Meanwhile, Fawzi Farid, owner of another souvenir shop in el-Sayyeda Zeinab area of Islamic Cairo, said that the repetitive street rallies and protests have negatively affected the overall commercial and business climate in Cairo during Ramadan. "These protests and rallies are turning away local customers and Arab tourists, who are afraid to come to el-Sayyeda Zeinab during Ramadan," Fawzi said, accusing the local and foreign media of painting a grim picture of the country after every massive rally that is being held either on Cairo's Tahrir Square each Friday. "When Arab tourists watch these news, they think that the whole of Egypt is on fire and become afraid to come," Farid said. Ahmed el-Riffaei, owner of a kebab shop, said that business has been quite slow recently because only few Arab tourists come to have iftar in el-Sayyeda Zeinab area during Ramadan. "I have laid off 25 per cent of the restaurant staff," el-Riffaei said, adding he did not know how to keep his kebab business afloat now that the prices of local meat and vegetables have soared since January. "The restaurant used to be filled with Egyptian and Arab clients. Before, Egyptian families and tourist groups used to come en masse to eat my famous kebab. But, now the one-floor shop is almost empty of clients during Ramadan," he said. El-Riffaei said that although few local clients were still showing up, it was not enough to cope with the daily losses. "During last year's Ramadan, waiters used to have to turn away customers and now look at us," he said, adding that the restaurants in el-Sayyeda Zeinab area, which used to receive Egyptians on Thursdays and Fridays, have been hard hit. Hassan el-Sirgani Junior, who owns a jewellery store in el-Sagha District near el-Hussein Mosque, also said his business had all but dried up since January – first because of the revolution and then as the pro-democracy protests escalated during the past four months.
