Energy-booster Ajwa keeps date with the faithful

Imran Bagwan,a dates merchant from Chhatrapati Shivaji market in Pune cantonment area,said Ajwa price depends upon the size mainly. “Good quality large size Ajwa dates cost around Rs 4,000-Rs 4,200 per kg. These dates come from Saudi Arabia in packed trays of 500 gram and 1kg,” he said.

Another merchant Anwar Bagwan said Washim district in Maharashtra is big wholesale market for Ajwa and other variety of dates,from where these dried fruits get marketed to Pune and other parts of the state. “Besides Muslims,we also witness a rush from other communities to buy Ajwa and other popular variety of dates that are available during Ramzan,” he said.

Merchants said dates from Oman,Iran and Iraq among other Muslim countries also find many buyers in the local market. These varieties include Sukkary,Maqdoom,Kalmi,Mariam,Shirin and Ambar,which are priced in the range of Rs 200 to Rs 2,000 per kg.

Speaking to Newsline,the Maharashtra president of All India Organisation of Imams of Mosques,Hafij Iqbal Ansari,said there exist several references in the

Hadith and Islamic historical literature about Ajwa,including one reference that reads,“One who takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning,remains under the protection of Almighty from magic and poison for the whole day.”

He said since dates are rich in nutritional values all varieties offer different health benefits. “These are great energy boosters,which helps human body in many ways,” he said.

Ramzan special eatables like different vermicelli,pakodas and non-vegeterian delicacies have also been making their presence felt in many eateries in Camp and other areas of the city along with many seasonal fruits.