The spice is right during Ramadan

AN Iftar setting would not be the same without the sweet taste of khanfaroosh and luqaimat, traditional dishes during the special time of Ramadan.

And, some of the most popular in the kingdom are made by the hand of entrepanueur Mariam Saleh Mohammed who has been cooking up delights from her home for more than 20 years as well as selling different kinds of spices, cheese and pickles.

Iftar refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during Ramadan.

Iftar during Ramadan is often done as a community, with families and friends gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset).

Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed during Iftar when the fast is broken

Mariam, who lives in Hidd area, attracts customers from all over the GCC countries and the tireless 54-year-old mother-of-three said her business helps make her feel alive.

"I began my business with making traditional spices and then gradually I added pickles to my list of products," she said.

"My items became very popular among Bahrainis and to expand my work I learned how to make a variety of cheese products as well as ready-made flour for kebabs and pizza as well as khanfaroosh and luqaimat - both are traditional sweet dishes popular during the month of Ramadan."

She said it takes years to perfect cooking skills and explained: " I have had to learn all about the right ingredients and cooking steps by myself ... that is why I am very proud of my achievement."

To help get her business enterprise started Mariam joined the micro-finance project, formerly knows as micro-start. It was formed by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), The Social Development Ministry and Al Ahli United Bank.

The project, entitled 'Provisions of Sustainable Micro-Finance Credit and Services to Needy Citizens in Bahrain', aimed at providing small, short-term loans to low-income individuals, especially women.

This project was the second of its kind, following a successful project called the Micro-start which was initiated in 1999.

"I started with a BD50 loan and stopped at BD200. I didn't need more than that because my monthly income was good," said Ms Mariam. "I spent the BD200 on jars for my pickles and cheese."

As well as word of mouth, many customers got to know about her enterprise after she took part in local and regional exhibitions.

She said: "A happy customer will always talk about a good product they have bought to others and it's surprising how quickly and how far word spreads. At the present my customers are not only from Bahrain, they are also from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE."

Ms Mariam says her husband has always been supportive. "My husband has stood by my side all the time and encouraged me to achieve my goal. My children sometimes ask me to take a rest because they are worried about me getting tired.

"But this business means everything to me - I can't quit!"

To sample Mariam's products call 39828689.