•FCT residents ‘go low’ during Ramadan, Eid-el-Fitri
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The rising cost of living was laid bare for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, during the last Eid-el-Fitr. Although the high cost of living dampened celebrations, some still thronged recreational parks and other places to have fun.
The holidays stretched from Tuesday to Thursday. Non-Muslims also seized the opportunity to hangout with families and friends.
Residents confessed that it had not been easy with their finances following the economic situation in the country. They decided to spend the long break in Abuja instead of traveling.
They said Ramadan was supposed to be one of the best seasons in terms of what to eat, adding that formerly even non Muslims were invited to break the fast with them but this year was different due to high ccosts f food stuffs and other things.
Shaibu Ibrahim of Dantata Estate Kubwa, said: “Eid is a time of celebration. People celebrate this by spending time exchanging gifts and visiting friends and family: “One should not be surprised seeing people exchanging pleasantries in the streets as part of Eid celebrations. The whole idea is that whoever you meet, you try and create a feeling of goodwill. Any feeling of animosity is put aside, at least for one day.
“Though, due to the high cost of living in the country, most people were unable to show love by sharing gifts to the less privileged. This period of fasting used to be one of the most interesting periods because one is exposed to variety of food. But this time, there is nothing like variety, we eat whatever that is available.”
Fola Yemi works with the Federal Ministry of Education and resides in Jabi said: “Is it not when you have eaten that you can give to others? The economic situation in the country is too harsh, even feeding your immediate family is now a problem.
“During Ramadan, we used assorted fruits, food to break the fast but this year we managed anything available. I normally share food with neighbours during festive periods like this. But this one is with a difference because I couldn’t. I didn’t have the money to do that.
“I even go to the extent of inviting friends that are not Muslim to break fast. But this year, it was very difficult for the immediate family.”
A businesswoman, Lami Mohamed said: “This is the time I am supposed to extend my hands to the less privileged through my small charity work to make God accept my prayers. But this year, I was not even able to settle my home well, talk less of extending to the needy. I just brought the kids to the park so that they would have the feelings of the festive.
“I would have loved to travel with my family but the finance wasn’t there. This would have been the best seasons to travel because school is on break.”
Ola Idris lamented: “This season was a different one altogether. Ramadan used to be time of eating different types of food, different dishes prepared for the breaking of fast, at times with friends that are non Muslims but it was different this time.“
Mama Abdullahi: “It was even difficult to provide for the immediate family. Last year we were complaining but this year one can no longer talk because salary cannot comfortably transport workers to their work places, if you want to go to work faithfully.
“I didn’t buy clothes for the children this Sallah. We just washed and ironed what we used the previous Sallah.
“I went to the market with a hundred plus couldn’t buy any reasonable thing. We had to manage. If nothing is done to reduce this suffering, danger is at the corner.”
John Ogbu, resident of Utako: “This is the first time I have seen a sallah whereby I didn’t get any food from my Muslim friends. This is totally different from what I used to know. No one invited me for the breaking of the fast this time. Nobody brought food for me. I don’t blame them cost of food stuffs in very high.
“We need to pray for our country because things are getting tougher by the day. Last year we were complaining but this year, I don’t know how to describe it ”
Habiba said: “I normally don’t like spending my sallah outside my hometown.
“This time I decided to remain here in Abuja because I was too rich. Instead of staying alone at home, I decided to come to the park to free myself from thinking.”
Happiness Okechukwu, a tailor along Wuse 2, recounted: “This is usually our season of making money. Most people make new clothes not only for themselves but also for their loved ones at home.
“The hardship is really much. I usually worked over night during festive periods. But this one even the few people that gave me clothes have not come for their collection due to lack of fund.”
However, some hawkers at the parks and relaxation centres confessed high patronage and wished it would continue. A snack seller, Loveth Odeh said: “This break is very good oh! There is no day that passes without me finishing my stuffs and ordering for more. How I wish this will continue because the sale is very encouraging.”
Although Mallam Shehu, a meat seller at Yellow Page in Kubwa, also confirmed high patronage but insisted that last year was better than this year’s celebration.