"Opening" is an Eastern tradition that rejoices the sellers in the Iraqi market

Haydet Sheikhani: The first customer the merchant receives in the morning comes from God and brings sustenance and goodness.

Vendors in the historical market of Erbil rush every morning to spread their goods, waiting impatiently for the arrival of their first customer, who is free to pay the price he deems appropriate, in light of the common belief that this "openness" will bring livelihood to the merchant throughout the day.

And the tradition of "openness" is spread among street vendors and shopkeepers throughout the Middle East markets, including Iraq, whose people pride themselves on their hospitality.

According to this tradition, during the business day, the first customer is allowed to pay the price he wants in exchange for the good or service he receives without objection or bargaining from the seller, as the failure to sell to the first customer is seen as a bad omen that prepares for a day in which livelihood will be scarred.

Haydat Sheikhani (39 years), who works in the market of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, said, "The first customer the merchant receives in the morning comes from God and brings sustenance and goodness with him."

Like all the owners of the stone-built shops scattered in the alleys of the Erbil market, sheikhani, who sells black and white embroidered hats and colorful scarves, comes in the early morning hours to display his wares and prepare sugar-sweetened tea, in preparation for the start of the work day.

Sheikhani says that this tradition was practiced by both Muslim and Jewish merchants in Medina, after Erbil had a functioning Jewish community until the middle of the twentieth century.

Opinions differ on the origin of the tradition of "opening", as some say it is taken from a hadith of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, in which he said: "Oh God, bless my nation in its firstborn."

However, a professor of Islamic sciences at Salahaddin University in Iraq, Abbas Ali, believes that this tradition is widespread among followers of different religions, and it is not related to Islam only.

And this habit is not limited to the market only, it is also found among taxi drivers, craftsmen and car repair shop owners.

Maher Salim, a 46-year-old auto mechanic in Erbil, says: “I accept any amount, whatever it is at the beginning of the day. I accept it and put it on my forehead to thank God.”

But selling to the "opening" customer remains for a price and is not free. Salim asserts, "Even if the opening was (from) my brother, I will receive a symbolic sum from him, even if it is 1000 dinars (less than a dollar)."

Despite the widespread spread of this tradition, commercial areas remain far from it, especially in the commercial complexes spread across the country.

This is especially evident in the large commercial complexes in the city of Erbil, which has witnessed a wide urban development during the past decade, and which customers seek to find an enjoyable and rich shopping experience.

The first is allowed

A customer has to pay the price

Who wants.

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