Ramadan Arrives As Inflationary Pressures Burden Egyptians

Ahead of Ramadan, vendors in this popular market in Cairo say they see more visitors than buyers. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Nuts and seeds are a Ramadan tradition, either as gifts or in recipes, but shopkeeper Hajj Ma’mon says his prices have doubled, even tripled, since last year. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Hajj Ma’mon, an herbal shop owner, says, “There is no turnout this Ramadan, because regular food prices are so high. No one is thinking about buying high calorie nuts or seeds.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Sheikhs and imams purchase new ceremonial clothing for the holy month of Ramadan. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Emad El-Tarabieshy, a tailor and garment shop owner, says clients "who used to buy two pieces, now only buy one. Some are also dusting off their old fez hat.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Hossam Mohamed, who designs fez hats for a living, says, “The demand for fezzes is low these days, so most of the craftspeople in this workshop have left for other jobs.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Nasser Banha and Mostafa Nasser, father and son, handcraft traditional Ramadan lanterns in their small workshop inside their apartment building. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Abu-Osama Fawanies, who sells traditional Ramadan lanterns, says, ”The market is calm this season, with most shoppers coming in to check the prices or buy cheaper and small designs.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Amen Abulkheir, who just bought lantern keychains for his sisters, nephews, and nieces, says, “My family usually buys extra food and new clothes for Ramadan, but, this month, we still have lots of extra living expenses.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)

Abdulraheem (back), who, along with his coworker, Abdelnaby, has been crafting Ramadan lanterns for decades, says, “We heard from the local media that Egypt’s inflation rate is 40 percent, but we feel it as 400 percent.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)