Community bazaars of late have become gala evenings of entertainment, charity, great food and silent auctions. Women from Pakistan and India seem to be very active in organizing these bazaars. However, Arab expatriate circle also has some periodic activities of community bazaars and charity events. Diplomatic community bazaars are also gaining popularity. “Raising funds has always been the main objective of my bazaar's activities and my annual charity bazaar has become a signature event in which I try to raise funds for charity,” said Shaheen Nawaz, a Pakistani woman, who often organizes community bazaars. “I am not like others who conduct community bazaar for business purposes. I raise funds which are used to finance the needy people,” she told the Saudi Gazette during one of her community bazaar gatherings. Nawaz said that she initially needs at least SR2,000 to conduct a bazaar. Stalls are offered for hiring for SR100 to SR200. However, needy women are allowed to take the stall free of cost. Community bazaars are popular not only among women, but men also organize such bazaars with bigger set-up. “I organized many bazaars in the past just to promote the Pakistani culture as well as to present Saudi culture to our expatriate friends. It was a way to build bridges between the Saudi and Asian communities,” said Ameer Muhammad Khan, a Pakistani community member. Community bazaars provide a great opportunity to buy gifts and souvenirs. An array of gift and household items is on sale at the bazaars. Expatriate vendors bring many products from their home countries to sell while many are imported from other countries. It becomes the one-stop shop with all kinds of goods and choices. “This is a good business for us. Therefore, I bring lots of jewelry and dresses whenever I go to India. I need a platform like community bazaar to sell my stuff,” said Nighat Mahjabeen, who regularly sets up stalls at various community bazaars. Zameera Khan, a henna and tattoo designer, also gets an opportunity to present her art in such gatherings. “Many beauty parlors also participate in community bazaars,” she said.Traditional food is the well-liked feature of community bazaars. “I start preparing my food items two days before the community bazaars. I get good response from the customers,” said Shamim Ahmed. Rehana Shahpara, a housewife who never misses any community bazaars, said prices are usually much cheaper in these events. “The best thing about shopping at the bazaars organized by the expatriate women is that you can shop with friends in a safe and pleasant environment,” she said. Shahida Shahid, a clothing and jewelry vendor, invests at least SR5,000 to SR10,000 for each community bazaar. “I buy the latest items from India and Pakistan through agents and on the Internet as well as from local whole sale markets in Baab Makkah in Jeddah,” she said. Community bazaars are usually organized in the months leading up to Eid, after summer holidays or school exams. The main bazaar season in Jeddah occurs after summer holidays when most expatriate women return from their home countries with lots of new items to sell. Community bazaars are named Mina Bazaar, Spring Bazaar, Summer Bazaar, Cultural Festival, Midyear-Bazaar and so on. The locations of the various bazaars are usually hotels, restaurants, community halls and schools. Lucky draws and the raffles are also part of the community bazaars. Many companies and organizations offer gifts and other attractions like flight tickets, hotel accommodations and dining outs. The funds raised by these raffles often go to support the group's social welfare projects. __
