Jeddah’s Al-Balad streets lack Ramadan spirit

The streets of Al-Balad, usually quite festive during the holy month of Ramadan, are subdued this year, say shoppers.
There is an absence of the usual lights, lanterns and street food that has been a feature at the start of Ramadan over the years. Many shops remain closed, even after the extension of the amnesty period.
Although the Jeddah Municipality reportedly said that most of the food stalls would be set up from the first day of Ramadan, only a few stalls and vendors have been spotted selling the traditional balila (a chick pea salad) and kebda (grilled lamb’s liver with spices and onions) until the fourth day of Ramadan.
“Al-Balad is usually the place to be during Ramadan,” says Khalid Al-Bassem, a Saudi resident who loves to visit the area during the holy month. “I usually spend some time here during Ramadan with friends eating the traditional Hijazi balila and kebda. The place itself just turns beautiful during the holy month, with happy shoppers everywhere, all in a festive spirit.” Al-Bassem says that he was a bit disappointed to see the streets dull on the first day of Ramadan this year and blamed illegal workers for the situation.
He expects Al-Balad to return to normal later in the month.
Mysa ElGhamrawy, an Egyptian mother and a resident near the Al-Balad area, says that she likes to shop in Al-Balad during Ramadan because the place has so much life after iftar. “The month of Ramadan is more like a festive month, there’s food, noise, entertainment and shopping crowds in Al-Balad. The authorities have worried a lot of people and driven away expatriates. Many shops have been closed down. The raids have upset many people.”
ElGhamrawy says that her husband and two children shop in Al-Balad most of the time and have seen the best of days during Ramadan. “We didn’t expect Al-Balad to be as pleasing as it used to be during the past Ramadan months. Once we are done with iftar, we usually go down to the Al-Balad market and shop until midnight for the Eid festival.”