Meena Bazaar, one of Dubai's oldest districts in Bur Dubai, is known for its Eid rush, as customers flock to the area for new clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to learn if shop owners are expecting the usual rush for Eid Al Fitr, as the UAE continues its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Meena Bazaar, one of Dubai's oldest districts in Bur Dubai, is known for its Eid rush, as customers flock to the area for new clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to learn if shop owners are expecting the usual rush for Eid Al Fitr, as the UAE continues its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Nizamudheen Vattakkandi is the owner of a shop in Meena Bazaar that sells watches and perfumes. He said the number of customers are gradually increasing again, but it is not like how it used to be
Nizamudheen Vattakkandi is the owner of a shop in Meena Bazaar that sells watches and perfumes. He said the number of customers are gradually increasing again, but it is not like how it used to be
Mr Vattakkandi said the situation for shop owners in the district “will only get better from here” as the number of tourists in the emirate increases
Mr Vattakkandi said the situation for shop owners in the district “will only get better from here” as the number of tourists in the emirate increases
Residents in the Emirates have been urged to celebrate Eid virtually again to curb the spread of the virus
Residents in the Emirates have been urged to celebrate Eid virtually again to curb the spread of the virus
Last year, stay-home orders and travel restrictions meant the once crowded and noisy neighbourhood was suddenly empty and quiet, with zero transactions
Last year, stay-home orders and travel restrictions meant the once crowded and noisy neighbourhood was suddenly empty and quiet, with zero transactions
Mohammed Amjad, a Pakistani sales clerk at a clothing shop, said it is not as busy as it once used to be during the Islamic holiday, but “it is still much better than last year”
Mohammed Amjad, a Pakistani sales clerk at a clothing shop, said it is not as busy as it once used to be during the Islamic holiday, but “it is still much better than last year”
Apart from stay-home orders and travel restrictions, people across the globe were also cutting back on extra spending, as many lost their jobs or faced a salary cut. The labour market in the UAE has improved since then and old commercial districts are seeing more customers
Apart from stay-home orders and travel restrictions, people across the globe were also cutting back on extra spending, as many lost their jobs or faced a salary cut. The labour market in the UAE has improved since then and old commercial districts are seeing more customers
Manoj Kumar, from India, has been operating a clothes shop in Meena Bazaar for the past eight years. He said sales are not how they used to be before the pandemic
Manoj Kumar, from India, has been operating a clothes shop in Meena Bazaar for the past eight years. He said sales are not how they used to be before the pandemic
A person sitting outside the garment shop in Dubai's Meena Bazaar
A person sitting outside the garment shop in Dubai's Meena Bazaar
It gets busier in Meena Bazaar after iftar time and shop owners expect more customers next week, closer to Eid time
It gets busier in Meena Bazaar after iftar time and shop owners expect more customers next week, closer to Eid time

UAE

Traders in Meena Bazaar in Dubai hopeful as anticipation builds for Eid Al Fitr

One of Dubai's oldest districts was hit hard by the pandemic but shop owners believe better times lie ahead

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

May 09, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

For decades tourists and residents alike flocked to a bustling Bur Dubai market in search of a taste of tradition and with hopes of a bargain.

Meena Bazaar comes to life during Eid Al Fitr, a festival that provides a welcome boost to hundreds of traders offering everything from clothes and tailoring services to jewellery.

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year – bringing about stay-home orders and travel restrictions – prompted shops to temporarily close.

Now, owners are reporting that business is starting to return to normal, as customer numbers gradually increase.

The National visited the area ahead of Eid, which will be celebrated next week.

Nizamudheen Vattakkandi at his shop in Meena Bazaar. Pawan Singh / The National. Story by Sarwat
Nizamudheen Vattakkandi at his shop in Meena Bazaar. Pawan Singh / The National. Story by Sarwat

Nizamudheen Vattakkandi, the owner of a shop in Meena Bazaar that sells watches and perfumes, sees hope on the horizon as the holiday season approaches.

“Last year, it was a terrible situation,” the Indian citizen said.

“The shops were closed and we didn’t have any sales during this time, so we weren’t earning anything.

“Now, it is slowly getting better. There are more customers coming in every day and we can see it getting busier with Eid around the corner.”

Mr Vattakkandi said the situation for shop owners in the district “will only get better from here” as the number of tourists in the emirate increases.

He said shops would also get busier once flights from India resume, because Indian citizens are among the top buyers in Meena Bazaar.

The UAE extended the suspension of entry for travellers from India on all flights on national and foreign airlines, as the South Asian country contends with a record number of Covid-19 cases.

Residents in the Emirates are being urged to again celebrate Eid virtually to curb the spread of the virus.

"It will take some time, but business will pick up again," Mr Vattakkandi said.

“There are also lots of customers from Pakistan and other countries who are shopping here for Eid. The clothes shops, in particular, see a lot of customers during this time.”

Mohammed Amjad, a Pakistani sales clerk at a clothing shop, said it is not as busy as it once used to be during the Islamic holiday, but “it is still much better than last year”.

Garments shop in Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai in Dubai on April 5,2021. Pawan Singh / The National
Garments shop in Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai in Dubai on April 5,2021. Pawan Singh / The National

Mr Amjad has worked in the neighbourhood for the past five years.

“We all know that Meena Bazaar is one of the busiest areas during Eid,” he said.

“There were literally thousands of customers rushing to this area for their Eid shopping, but it also got really busy for other celebrations, such as Diwali.

“I don’t think the current situation can be compared to how it used to be, but at least customers have started to come in again. It’s much better than last year, when shops were completely closed and no one wanted to spend on things other than basic needs.”

Apart from stay-home orders and travel restrictions, people around the globe were also cutting back on extra spending, as many lost their jobs or faced a salary cut.

Mohammed Amjad at his shop in Meena Bazaar area in Bur Dubai in Dubai on April 5,2021. Pawan Singh / The National. Story by Sarwat
Mohammed Amjad at his shop in Meena Bazaar area in Bur Dubai in Dubai on April 5,2021. Pawan Singh / The National. Story by Sarwat

The labour market in the UAE has improved since then and old commercial districts are attracting more customers.

Manoj Kumar, from India, has been operating a clothes shop in Meena Bazaar for the past eight years.

“There used to be a countless amount of sales before the pandemic. We could easily get 200 to 300 customers per day during this time,” he said.

“Now, there are about 20 sales per day. But, things will improve once the pandemic is over.”

How Dubai's Naif community is striving to get back to normal – in pictures 

On April 26, it will be one year since the Covid-19 lockdown in Naif, one of Dubai's oldest districts, was lifted. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to see how residents and businesses are faring. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
On April 26, it will be one year since the Covid-19 lockdown in Naif, one of Dubai's oldest districts, was lifted. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to see how residents and businesses are faring. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Residents were under strict stay-home orders from March 31 until April 26 of last year to control the spread of Covid-19. Authorities carried out mass testing and a sanitisation operation in the area
Residents were under strict stay-home orders from March 31 until April 26 of last year to control the spread of Covid-19. Authorities carried out mass testing and a sanitisation operation in the area
Shop owners said their businesses would pick up once more tourists start visiting the area. Naif is one of the oldest commercial districts of Dubai and used to be packed with tourists before the pandemic
Shop owners said their businesses would pick up once more tourists start visiting the area. Naif is one of the oldest commercial districts of Dubai and used to be packed with tourists before the pandemic
Now, the streets mostly consist of local residents
Now, the streets mostly consist of local residents
Fawaz Bello, from Nigeria, was one of the thousands of people affected by the lockdown last year. He lives and works in the area and said life is slowly returning to normal for him
Fawaz Bello, from Nigeria, was one of the thousands of people affected by the lockdown last year. He lives and works in the area and said life is slowly returning to normal for him
Businesses that have been operating for a long time in Naif are fairing well through a loyal local customer base. The Khan Shoes Repairing and Polishing store has been in the area since 1971. Amanullah Khan, pictured, said they are managing to keep their business afloat through long-time local customers who support them
Businesses that have been operating for a long time in Naif are fairing well through a loyal local customer base. The Khan Shoes Repairing and Polishing store has been in the area since 1971. Amanullah Khan, pictured, said they are managing to keep their business afloat through long-time local customers who support them
However, newer businesses in the area are waiting for a tourist influx to increase sales. Moidu Parlat bought his shop four months ago and is trying hard to make ends meet, as business is slow
However, newer businesses in the area are waiting for a tourist influx to increase sales. Moidu Parlat bought his shop four months ago and is trying hard to make ends meet, as business is slow
Across the road from streets packed with hundreds of shops, there is a waterway in Naif where large dhow and small abra owners operate their businesses. Owners of dhows are attracting customers with attractive deals on dinner cruises
Across the road from streets packed with hundreds of shops, there is a waterway in Naif where large dhow and small abra owners operate their businesses. Owners of dhows are attracting customers with attractive deals on dinner cruises
Another large dhow in Naif
Another large dhow in Naif
Small boat owners, however, are still trying to get back on their feet. Mohammed Akram is seen here waiting for customers who would want to use his boat for a sightseeing trip
Small boat owners, however, are still trying to get back on their feet. Mohammed Akram is seen here waiting for customers who would want to use his boat for a sightseeing trip
DAY%20ONE%20RESULT
%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E1.%20Charlotte%20Kool%20(NED)%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20DSM%3A%202hrs%2C%2047min%2C%2014sec%3Cbr%3E2.%20Lorena%20Wiebes%20(NED)%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20SD%20Worx%3A%20%2B4%20secs%3Cbr%3E3.%20Chiara%20Consonni%20(ITA)%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20Team%20ADQ%3A%20%2B5%20secs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Respawn%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electronic%20Arts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20Playstation%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%20and%20S%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eamana%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Farra%20and%20Ziad%20Aboujeb%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERegulator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDFSA%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinancial%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E85%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESelf-funded%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

While you're here
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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Match info

Athletic Bilbao 0

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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RESULT

Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)

Kolkata win by 25 runs

Next match

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm

CoronavirusUAEEid Al Fitr 2025Dubai

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