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Ammon News - by Muath Freij/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — Vendors at Souk JARA have expressed hope that their sales will increase in Ramadan after organisers decided to open the souk two days a week instead of only on Fridays.

The Jabal Amman Residents Association (JARA) decided to open the souk every Thursday and Friday from 9:30pm until 2:00am during the holy month of Ramadan, according to Khader Kawas, acting president of JARA.

"We took this decision because we noticed that the number of tourists from Europe and the Arab Gulf increased significantly this summer," he told The Jordan Times in an interview at the souk on Friday.

He noted that JARA also decided to take this step to give vendors a chance to do business because working hours are fewer during Ramadan compared to other days.

Saed Junaidi, one of the vendors at the souk, commended the move.

"In Ramadan, one day is not enough for both the souk's vendors and its visitors. It is good that the souk is open two days a week."

Sultan Petro, who sells cups and mugs, said visitors need time to get used to the new schedule.

"People are used to seeing JARA open every Friday. This week, the number of visitors on Friday was more than on Thursday," he told The Jordan Times.

Adel Abbasi, who sells handmade accessories, said he was optimistic that his business will boom this Ramadan.

"People need time to get used to Ramadan. We are still in the first days of the holy month, so I am sure the number of visitors will increase in the coming weekends," he added.

However, some merchants noted that several factors may have a negative impact on their sales this year.

Maysoun Qawasmeh, who has participated in the souk for the past seven years, said that Thursday is usually a day when people go on family visits.

"Jordanians are used to visiting their relatives every Thursday, so this is why we might not get many visitors on Thursdays," Qawasmeh told The Jordan Times as she decorated her stall.

She also noted that most clients are tourists, who usually come in the morning.

"In Ramadan, most visitors in the evening are Jordanians, who don't buy items from the souk," she said.

Petro noted that visitors only walk around the souk and look at the merchandise.

"They only buy food and sit at cafés," he added.

The souk comprises 110 stalls, 20 of them are leased to charitable societies and underprivileged families at no charge, according to Kawas, who added that people from other governorates such as Jerash and Aqaba also take part in the bazaar, which opened mid-May and is held every summer in the Jabal Amman area near Rainbow Street.