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Ammon News - by Muath Freij/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — With Ramadan just around the corner, families have already prepared to welcome it with the decorations that have become yet another staple of the holy month.

At night, Amman’s neighbourhoods light up with all colours of the rainbow, as houses and shops are decorated with illuminated crescents and lanterns — symbols of the fasting month, which starts on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Shopping at a tent where the decorations are sold, Elham Assaas said she has made a point of buying these items for the past three years.

“People like decorating their homes ahead of Ramadan. It adds to the special atmosphere of the month. I decorate the windows and the rooms,” she told The Jordan Times recently as she bargained with the seller over the price of several items.

Vendors selling the popular Ramadan decorations have set up shops on the capital’s main streets, such as Medina Munawara, Mecca and Abdullah Ghosheh, in makeshift tents for around a month.

“Families like these decorations because they bring joy,” Ibrahim Najjar, one of the vendors, told The Jordan Times while decorating his tent near the 7th Circle.

Although the sellers have been showcasing their products for a few weeks, the last few days before Ramadan mark their peak season, according to vendor Ahmad Ameri, who noted that most tents are open 24 hours.

“Every night, we choose a person to sleep at the tent and keep it open for customers. These days are the peak season, and you can expect to receive a customer anytime,” he added.

When the trend to buy these decorations began a few years ago, tents or shops selling them were few and far between, according to Ameri.

“Three years ago, there was a limited number of vendors. This year, the number has soared.”

He noted that most items are sold at affordable prices.

“For example, the illuminated crescent is JD5,” Ameri said, adding that he made around JD2,000 last Ramadan.

Najjar said most vendors run out of stock when the holy month starts.

After Assaas settled on her choice of decorations for this Ramadan, she said she was looking forward to bringing the holy month’s joy to her home and neighbourhood, noting that all her neighbours decorate their houses as well.

“At night, the whole locality lights up. It’s a beautiful sight.”