Lebanon’s Ramadan sweet makers latest to take aim at beleaguered central bank governor

BEIRUT: When sweet shop owner Ahmad Daouk finally had enough of the lack of customers for his Ramadan treats this year, he decided to aim his anger at Lebanon’s loathed political elite.
Little did he know his sarcastic sign lampooning the country’s central bank governor would become an internet sensation, with images of the poster used in a number of viral tweets. 
Arab News reported last week how Lebanon’s economic collapse means many have been unable to afford traditional Ramadan treats this year. A shortage of dollars has sent the value of the Lebanese currency into free fall on the black market and forced shop owners to raise their prices.
In despair at his customers being pushed away by the prices, Daouk, owner of Al Daouk Sweets, posted a sign in his shop window in one of Beirut’s busiest residential areas, saying: “Thank you Riad Salameh and thank you Lebanese officials.”
Salameh is the under-fire governor of Lebanon’s central bank, which has been widely blamed, along with corrupt politicians, for the financial crisis. Along with anger in Lebanon, he is facing scrutiny in Europe with Swiss prosecutors reportedly investigating his money transfers as part of a laundering probe.
“Prices have risen steeply and nobody could afford buying sweets anymore thanks to Riad Salameh and Lebanese officials,” Daouk told Arab News.  
He said they should be held responsible for an “economic catastrophe.” Because the sweet shops purchase their items in dollars, they have no choice but to increase their prices.
“Things have become ridiculously expensive since our currency is pegged to the dollar,” Daouk said. “I couldn’t find anything better than mockery to express my anguish.”
Financial analysts say the Lebanese pound has lost more than 80 percent of its value on the informal market since widespread protests in October 2019. Most depositors also lost more than 75 percent of their savings in banks that have been limiting withdrawals and money transfers.  
While things were looking grim in Ramadan last year, this year the full effects of the financial crisis, fueled by a political deadlock, have started to bite.
Daouk said he was so “frustrated and had hit rock bottom” when he decided to post the sign last week.
The neighborhood surrounding Beirut Arab University and Beirut Municipal Stadium is full of popular sweet shops usually packed with customers.
Daouk posted the sign on the left side of his shopfront promoting Othmaliye, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert pastry, for 80,000 Lebanese pound and his speciality, Daoukiye, a semolina-based pistachio treat, for 100,000 Lebanese pounds. The advert for the delicious-sounding sweets, included the bitter barb at Salameh.
“The cost has become so expensive … so practically speaking nobody affords purchasing sweets except clients who have fresh dollars,” Daouk said.
During the first few days of Ramadan, the poster was shared widely across social media, triggering debate. 
Some accused Daouk of being greedy, while others praising him for standing up for the poor.