Expensive and blessed Ramazan comes to a close

6 October 2007
Report: Soodh

The Holy month of Ramazan this year has been one of the most expensive fasting months we have ever experienced. There is a saying Fasting month comes with lots of food and prosperity. Its true that during the fasting month, food habits are different and every house prepares their best food. So this Ramazan also brought with it all kinds of food. But unlike in the previous fasting months, food and other commodities are very expensive during this month. Ordinary Maldivians found life very difficult because of the soaring prices in the market. Fruits, vegetables, fish and everything were expensive and most people just could not afford the costly living.

However, everyone somehow managed to provide their loving ones better food and better life in the Holy month. Normally fish is available in abundance during Ramazan, but this month because of seasonal changes or other reasons, fishing was poor and cost of fish was very expensive. Fish is an important part of the diet of Maldivians, a source for proteins. Water melon is a most demanding fruit in Ramazan and we thought the excellent harvest in Thoddoo and other islands will provide the fruit at a reasonable price. In the beginning of the month price was not so expensive, but during the last days of the month, cost of water melon has become very expensive. Similarly young coconuts and other fruits as well as various vegetables are very expensive.

Some people wonder why the prices of these essential items are so expensive while the local market is very often flooded with fruits, vegetables and other items. Shops and super markets are also full of goods. One reason of the high cost may be large population living in Male, including an increasing number of expatriate workers. So the food demand has grown significantly. Other reason is people buy what they want at whatever prices they are available. But the large majority of people are from small to medium income families. So it is surprising how they are managing such an expensive life from a very small income. The answer to this question may be many of them are working part time while others may be borrowing money. But this Ramazan, we heard some people did not want to buy some of the favorite fruits and foods at the very high prices they are available. So a lot of fruits and vegetables were spoilt and had to be thrown. It will be worthwhile for the sellers to sell their products as quickly as possible even if they get a minimal profit. A good business is one of volume, and one which buys and sells the largest quantity.

It was a consolation that the government has taken some measures to curb the high cost of commodities with STO importing and supplying some of the items such as onion and potatoes which are in high demand in Ramazan. STO has announced it will continue providing many of the essential and high demand food items in Ramazan. But their efforts have not been so successful this year. We hope STO would continue this policy and try to help make the living in the Maldives more affordable. We don't know how much the Trade Ministry has intervened in the matter because of the free market policy they are advocating so strongly. But when it comes to the everyday living of the general public, we hope the Ministry will make possible efforts to keep the prices of food and other commodities at a reasonable level. We hope the knowledgeable minister will think about it more seriously. There is a lot to learn about the hard living of the majority of the people.

The Holy month of Ramazan is ending. This Ramazan also brought with it the bitter taste of the terrorist attack in Sultan Park on 29 September when 12 tourists were injured. The explosion was a shock to all Maldivians casting a shadow on the security, livelihood and economy. This Ramazan also started with another shock of tsunami warnings in the Indian Ocean countries thought to have triggered from one of the strongest earthquakes in recent times that hit Bengkulu province in Indonesia just a day before Ramazan. Thankfully Almighty Allah saved us and other countries from another devastating disaster.

With Ramazan there are many lessons to be learnt. It is a time of reflection and hope. Our country is endowed with rare blessings, traditions and values. We cherish a legacy of unity, peace and harmony. We can't afford this fraternity and value system to disintegrate.

VELIDHOO COMMUNITY