by Hamada al-Hattab, Omar al-Othmany
GAZA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Gaza Strip's streets and markets were beautifully decorated with colorful traditional lanterns welcoming the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Sali Kassab, 11, from Gaza City, carefully checked several lanterns in a shop in downtown Gaza, finally choosing one she thought to be the most beautiful, which was made in China.
The fawanees, Arabic for Ramadan lanterns, are an integral part of celebrations marking the arrival of the holiest month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from sunrise till sunset.
Throughout the month, Ramadan lanterns grace markets and shops in the territory run by the Islamic Hamas movement.
Following the sunset breakfast meal, children can be seen outside with their lanterns, singing traditional Ramadan songs.
The fawanees come in different sizes, colors and shapes. In addition to the traditional minaret shape, modern fawanees also take the shapes of rockets, planes, animals and famous cartoon characters.
Previously, fawanees were made of tin and colored glass, with a candle inside, whereas modern models are battery operated to glow.
For Muslims, the fawanees are a source of fun for children and a centuries-old tradition.
"I wait for Ramadan impatiently to buy my fawanees," said Kassab, as her mother bargained over the price with the salesman.
"The fawanees make me and my friends very happy."
Kassab's Chinese-made lantern glitters brightly with colorful hues as it plays traditional Ramadan songs.
The modest prices of Chinese-made lanterns render them affordable to most residents in the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip, which has been subject to an Israeli-imposed blockade since 2007, when Hamas forcefully seized control of the enclave.
The strip's economy worsened further as a result of frequent military confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis.
"Lantern prices are quite affordable. Chinese ones are much cheaper than the local ones," Heba al-Naffar, a housewife, told Xinhua while purchasing lanterns for her two sons.
Al-Naffar said the quality is also good, adding that affordable prices enable poor families to buy lanterns to make their children happy during the holy month.
A media officer at the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce in Gaza estimates that over 50 percent of goods imported into Gaza originate from China.
Before the month of Ramadan, Palestinian toy traders imported large shipments of Ramadan lanterns which, due to their reasonable prices, sell well in Gaza.
"Most of the toys I sell in my store are imported from China," said one shop owner, Said al-Bitar. "Prices are rather reasonable, starting from 1 U.S. dollar."
Al-Bitar complained that the strip's dire economic situation has cut into his business, with many Gazans even unable to buy his already low-priced toys.
According to a Palestinian Chamber of Commerce report, the Gaza Strip's unemployment rate is currently at 42 percent.
