Meena Bazaar 2021

The National
  • Meena Bazaar, one of Dubai's oldest districts in Bur Dubai, is known for its Eid rush, as customers flock to the area for new clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to learn if shop owners are expecting the usual rush for Eid Al Fitr, as the UAE continues its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
    Meena Bazaar, one of Dubai's oldest districts in Bur Dubai, is known for its Eid rush, as customers flock to the area for new clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags. 'The National' visited the neighbourhood to learn if shop owners are expecting the usual rush for Eid Al Fitr, as the UAE continues its battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
  • Nizamudheen Vattakkandi is the owner of a shop in Meena Bazaar that sells watches and perfumes. He said the number of customers are gradually increasing again, but it is not like how it used to be
    Nizamudheen Vattakkandi is the owner of a shop in Meena Bazaar that sells watches and perfumes. He said the number of customers are gradually increasing again, but it is not like how it used to be
  • Mr Vattakkandi said the situation for shop owners in the district “will only get better from here” as the number of tourists in the emirate increases
    Mr Vattakkandi said the situation for shop owners in the district “will only get better from here” as the number of tourists in the emirate increases
  • Residents in the Emirates have been urged to celebrate Eid virtually again to curb the spread of the virus
    Residents in the Emirates have been urged to celebrate Eid virtually again to curb the spread of the virus
  • Last year, stay-home orders and travel restrictions meant the once crowded and noisy neighbourhood was suddenly empty and quiet, with zero transactions
    Last year, stay-home orders and travel restrictions meant the once crowded and noisy neighbourhood was suddenly empty and quiet, with zero transactions
  • Mohammed Amjad, a Pakistani sales clerk at a clothing shop, said it is not as busy as it once used to be during the Islamic holiday, but “it is still much better than last year”
    Mohammed Amjad, a Pakistani sales clerk at a clothing shop, said it is not as busy as it once used to be during the Islamic holiday, but “it is still much better than last year”
  • Apart from stay-home orders and travel restrictions, people across the globe were also cutting back on extra spending, as many lost their jobs or faced a salary cut. The labour market in the UAE has improved since then and old commercial districts are seeing more customers
    Apart from stay-home orders and travel restrictions, people across the globe were also cutting back on extra spending, as many lost their jobs or faced a salary cut. The labour market in the UAE has improved since then and old commercial districts are seeing more customers
  • Manoj Kumar, from India, has been operating a clothes shop in Meena Bazaar for the past eight years. He said sales are not how they used to be before the pandemic
    Manoj Kumar, from India, has been operating a clothes shop in Meena Bazaar for the past eight years. He said sales are not how they used to be before the pandemic
  • A person sitting outside the garment shop in Dubai's Meena Bazaar
    A person sitting outside the garment shop in Dubai's Meena Bazaar
  • It gets busier in Meena Bazaar after iftar time and shop owners expect more customers next week, closer to Eid time
    It gets busier in Meena Bazaar after iftar time and shop owners expect more customers next week, closer to Eid time