Traders hike food prices as Ramadhan begins

by Nyamanoko Bwire

Muslims in Arusha region, have joined their fellow believers worldwide in their annual Ramadhan fasting this week, but as usual, food prices have escalated with the season.

The General Secretary for the Arusha Chapter of the Muslim Council in Tanzania (BAKWATA), Alhaj Major (Rtd) Mohammed Mollel, said this has always been a problem whenever Ramadhan period begins.

Alhaj Mollel lamented that it is high time that the Arusha Municipal Council intervened and educated local traders that the fasting period is meant for religious supplication and therefore they shouldn’t take advantage of the brethren.

Alhaj Mollel, a former deputy mayor for Arusha, advised that the council should fix prices on foodstuffs being sold in the municipality and monitor them throughout the season.

During Ramadhan, prices for foodstuffs such as potatoes, beans, cassavas and all types of fruits are usually hiked by traders capitalizing on the occasion.

Food and commodity prices also remain high even after Ramadhan fasting because by then, the Christians will also be starting their Christmas and New Year seasons both of which marked by festive celebrations.

Abstaining from eating, drinking and profanity for at least 12 hours daily for one month, mark the fasting period for the Muslims during Ramadhan season.

Ramadhan is also one of the five most important pillars of faith for the followers of Islamic religion.

Other pillars include the pilgrimage to Mecca city, at least once in one’s life time, giving alms to the poor, observing five sessions of prayer daily, among other things.

This Ramadhan season is expected to climax with an Eid-el-Fitr holiday, which may fall in between the 26^th and 28^th of November 2003, depending on the sighting of the moon. 

Last modified: October 30, 2003.
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