Eid-ul-Azha brings good business to blacksmiths
- October 10, 2013, 2:02 pm
- Business News
- 264 Views
ISLAMABAD, Oct 10 (APP):For the blacksmiths in the adjoining
city of Rawalpindi the period ahead of Eid-u-Azha is a time of
lucrative earnings as sale of their hand-made knives and choppers
has soared while there is also a rush for sharpening the old ones.
Purana Qila (old fort), a centuries old area with cluster of
narrow lanes and old buildings, is the hub of the artisans.
A hustle and bustle is witnessed these days in the area with
customers preparing their tools for performing `Qurbani' - the
religious obligation and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim
(AS) on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.
"Finding a butcher on first two days of Eid is a very
difficult task so people give preference to sacrifice animals
themselves to follow the Sunnah and avoid inconvenience. People
buy the required tools, while many get their old knives and
choppers sharpened," said blacksmith Muhammad Bashir.
Bashir spoke about the business to this agency as he sat in
front of his small shop, busy in sharpening a 'kamani chopper'
made of solid iron for Rs. 100.
"These are the exceptional days for us as we do sufficient
business, much more than the other times throughout the year,"
Bashir said.
Sharing his experience, he said mostly people buy a set
consists of one big knife to slaughter animal, one small to take
off skin and a chopper to cut the meat into pieces, costing Rs.
700 to 1500 according to quality.
Other hot selling items on these shops are "angeethi" (hand
made oven) and steel bars to make barbecue of the sacrificial
meat.
Eid- ul- Azha also provides opportunity of good business to
vendors who roam around on bicycles to sell a variety of knives
and other related articles, which are displayed on a board. Their
rates are less than the Purana Qila blacksmiths operating in
regular shops.
