Pilgrims shop for souvenirs in Jeddah’s famed old souks

Pilgrims who have completed their Haj rituals are now on a shopping spree. Many of them have arrived to Jeddah, to purchase clothes, household items, and souvenirs for kith and kin.
Some of them visit the city’s oldest markets such Souk Al-Alawi, Souk Badu, Souk Kabil and Souk Nada, adding cultural and touristic value to the sprawling business city.
Jeddah Municipal chairman, Sami Nawar, welcomed pilgrims to the Jeddah markets, and said, “We are honored by their visits.”
Nawar said pilgrims used to visit Jeddah since an immemorial time, to purchase their needs from its markets including Souk Khasikiya, Souk Al-Jamie, Souk Al-Hababah, Souk Al-Asr and Souk Al-Sabhiyah.
“There are about 12 old souks in Jeddah,” Nawar said, adding that they still attract a large number of shoppers, especially pilgrims and foreign tourists.
At present, Jeddah has become one of the largest shopping centers in the Middle East, with more than 200 modern malls and commercial centers, with state-of-the-art facilities and international brands.
“Most pilgrims purchase various types of gift items for their relatives back home, including mementos and photos of the two holy mosques, perfumes and rosaries,” he said.
Muhammad Al-Safh, director of the festivals and tourism programs at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said shops in the historical region of Jeddah attract a large number of Haj pilgrims. “These shops supply gift items requested by pilgrims,” he pointed out.
Psychologist Samira Al-Ghamdi highlighted the importance of presenting gifts to relatives saying it strengthens their bonds and creates fond memories.
“The gifts presented by a Haji have a moral value, far greater than the material value of the present,” she said.
According to one report, pilgrims, who come for Haj, spend nearly SR 2 billion on gifts and souvenirs for their kith and kin.