JEDDAH: The ninth Busat Al-Reeh (Magic Carpet) bazaar, which takes place every year in Ramadan, will begin today at the Jeddah Hilton. The charity event is organized by the National Home Health Care Foundation’s western province branch.
The foundation, launched 10 years ago by Princess Adela bint Abdullah, aims to provide social, psychological and health care to people suffering from chronic diseases and living at home with their families. The foundation also strives to create a lasting communication between the community and patients by holding festivals and programs to create awareness about volunteer work.
The Busat Al-Reeh festival has become a popular event in Jeddah and is packed with new additions this year. “A new organization from Lebanon is going to participate in the event in addition to a calligrapher from there. Of course, we have participants from all across the Kingdom and probably from the Gulf,” said Princess Adela, who is also the foundation’s director.
She added that the festival also enables Saudi women to access the business market with constructive competition from small entrepreneurs.
The festival is well-attended each year with Saudi businesswomen featuring high among visitors. “Our sponsors have been supportive so far. We appreciate their support so much,” she added.
Many, however, consider the cost of some of the items sold at the event expensive and unaffordable. Vendors justify the high prices by saying items are handmade and therefore expensive. “Many of the participants say that they make their merchandize specially for Ramadan and Saudi families. They say they want to maintain their culture at the same time. We can’t intervene in the prices,” said Princess Adela.
