Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette JEDDAH —With the blessings of Allah, Makkah, which was a barren uninhabited desert, became the most sought after city in the world bustling with economic activity, abundant in food and drink, the source of the never-ending Zamzam spring, and the sacred place that in recent years welcomes in the range of 3 million visitors each year during the Haj season. Talented Saudi women who grew up in Makkah wait for the season to craft beautiful and memorable items for pilgrims to take home. Pilgrims can buy these valuable items that are keepsakes from the holy land and will remind them of their unforgettable Haj journey for years to come. With art and skill the women weave the old traditional Saudi patterns with attractive colors and delicate additions of lace or beads to make a variety of creations that serve as the perfect gift for pilgrims to give their families and loved ones upon their return. Using a variety of materials including velvet and satin as well as crochet and knitting patterns or traditional Saudi weaving, the Makkan women make decorative covers for the Holy Qur'an, bookmarks and gift bags that contain rosary beads (subha), a prayer rug, a small bottle of oil perfume and a booklet of supplications translated into a number of languages. The complete gift bag, on average, sells for the reasonable price of SR25. For some women it is a hobby, for others it is an honorable way to make a living and to help support their families financially. They have found an appreciative market for their handmade gifts in some of the Tawafa organizations (delegations that guide and facilitate the performance of Haj rituals for pilgrims). The Haj delegations often purchase large numbers of these gift bags to distribute among pilgrims enrolled in the group. The female artisans who lack contacts with Tawafa organizations have more difficulty in marketing and selling their unique products. They may end up setting up stalls on the sidewalks or streets around the Grand Mosque or outside the major shopping centers, but that is cumbersome due to the hot weather and huge crowds. Craftswoman Um Ahmad said: “I call on the city's authorities to provide the hard working women with a specially designated, enclosed and well-maintained place where we can comfortably display and sell our goods. “For the past three years, I have been making attractive gift items that appeal to pilgrims but I lack a stable and reliable base to reach interested pilgrims and showcase the goods that I have to offer.”
