Brisk business once again for flower traders at Penang Muslim cemetery

 

Rosinah Md Hassan selling flowers at the Jalan Perak Muslim Cemetery in George Town. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: After two years of the Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s Aidilfitri celebration has provided an opportunity for traders selling fresh flowers at the Jalan Perak Muslim Cemetery to earn extra income as streams of visitors have been visiting the graves of their loved ones.

It has been a tradition that the Jalan Perak Muslim Cemetery would be the focus of Muslims, especially those who balik kampung to celebrate Aidilfitri, by visiting the graves of their loved ones.

However, this had stopped for the past two years when the country was in the grip of the pandemic.

These flower traders can now heave a sigh of relief following the government’s announcement on the relaxation of SOPs and opening of the borders as they are now able to resume their business.

One of the traders, Rosinah Md Hassan, 46, was relieved that she had been able to resume her flower business at the cemetery.

She said the demand for fresh flowers was usually higher during the festive season, allowing part-time traders such as herself to make a small profit.

“This flower stall has been with my family for four generations. Every Ramadan, my family and I will do business here to earn a bit of money, apart from making it easier for visitors to find fresh flowers.”

Rosinah said Ramadan was considered the month for traders such as herself to earn extra income and she was grateful as it helped the family prepare for Aidilfitri.

Assisted by her husband, sister and children, Rosinah said her flower stall began operating a week before Aidilfitri and would be open until the third day of Syawal.

“Every year, I would take a week off from work at Penang Hospital to run my flower business, which starts from 7.30am to 7pm.

“Two days before Aidilfitri, we’ll open our stall for 24 hours.”

Among the flowers in high demand are roses, jasmine, potpourri (bunga rampai), fresh stalk flowers and mixed dried flowers.

The prices range from RM5 to RM10 per pack, while sandalwood and rose water are priced at RM5 per bottle.

“People usually visit the cemetery from the beginning of Ramadan until the third day of Aidilfitri,” she said.

A visitor, Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza, 75, said the presence of flower traders at the cemetery made it easier for visitors to visit the graves of their loved ones.

“Visitors do not have to worry about looking for flowers as they can be bought at a cheap price at the entrance of the cemetery,” he told Bernama.

A check by Bernama found that the visitors were busy cleaning the graves and repainting the headstones, besides sprinkling flower petals and reciting holy verses. - FMT