Egypt
Egyptian soccer star Mohammed Salah set a scoring record this season that helped Liverpool clinch fourth place in the Premier League. Now pictures of his bearded face are boosting sales ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Manufacturers have plastered his image on traditional Ramadan products ranging from pillows to lanterns “famous” and paper cut-outs as they try to cash in on his success to offset economic hardships caused by the government’s financial reforms.
“The Mohamed Salah lantern is the highest selling lantern this year,” said Essam, a shopkeeper, who did not give his last name. Other shopkeepers at a market in Cairo’s Sayeda Zainab neighborhood said “Salah mania” was also helping them sell.
Salah scored 44 goals in 51 games in his debut campaign and last week won the Football Writers Association award. Next month, the 25-year-old will lead Egypt’s first team for 28 years at the World Cup.
“Mohamed Salah is a role model for all Egyptians at the moment,” said Omnia, a shopper. “All of Egypt loves Mo’ Salah, as they call him in England.”
Demand for food and traditional items soars during Ramadan, a month whose start date depends on the sighting of a crescent moon.
[SUGGESTED READING:Muslims worldwide prepare for start of Ramadan 2018](
http://www.africanews.com/2018/05/15/muslims-worldwide-prepare-for-start-of-ramadan-2018/)
01:05
Ethiopia's mega-dam on the Nile is "now complete", Prime Minister says
Go to video
Paraguayan town celebrates vibrant Kamba Ra'anga festival with masks, fire and tradition
01:45
From Uganda to NYC: Zohran Mamdani's rise in American politics
00:54
Kaaba’s sacred cover replaced ahead of islamic new year
00:51
Real Madrid unveil Trent Alexander-Arnold
02:20
In Brazil, knights and masked riders take to a football pitch for religious festival