Thousands of freshly stitched Emirati kanduras meant for customers in Europe and North Africa are lying folded in bags on the floors and shelves of tailoring shops in Al Ras and Rolla, waiting for flights that have yet to take off.
Prepared days in advance for Ramadan and Eid, the traditional garments were due to be shipped to boutiques and studios in London, Paris and Algiers. But ongoing flight disruptions and airspace restrictions linked to the regional conflict have slowed cargo movement, leaving tailors with stacks of ready-to-wear kanduras.
Ramadan prayer timings
Tailoring shops in Dubai and Sharjah receive bulk orders for kanduras a few months before Ramadan from overseas clients who sell the garments in their studios and boutiques. These orders usually reach customers well in time for Ramadan and Eid, when demand for traditional attire rises among people appreciating the simple and elegant design of the Emirati kandura.
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However, the ongoing conflict in the region and airspace restrictions have disrupted several flights across the Middle East. As airlines adjust routes and schedules, cargo shipments have also slowed.
Nawaz Khan from Rukn Al Doblomasi Tailoring in Al Ras said that every year, a few months before Ramadan, many of their clients based in Algeria, France, the UK and other North African and European countries place bulk orders for traditional and Emirati kanduras.
“They sell them in their studios or boutiques in Paris, London and other cities. Usually we fulfil the overseas orders first and then we cater to local customers,” he said.
Khan added that this year the orders were larger than usual, and they also received requests from new clients.
“A few of our clients received their shipments in the first few days of Ramadan. But the rest of the production is still lying in our workshop and store,” he said.
According to him, most of these orders are usually sent through air cargo. “The flights are restricted and people are not flying as before. The orders are mostly sent by air cargo. Now, customers who are travelling to those countries are taking a few pieces along with them in their luggage,” he said.
“These kanduras were mainly stitched for Eid. We even feel that the orders may not be dispatched before Eid, which means many kandura lovers in different parts of the world may not get to wear Emirati kanduras this year,” added Khan.
Tailors in Rolla are facing a similar situation. Naseem Ahmed, from NK Traditional Wear in Rolla, said their client base is spread across European countries, India and Pakistan, where Emirati kanduras have become popular over the years.
“Our clients are mainly in parts of the UK, India and Pakistan. Many of them run small studios where they sell Emirati kanduras along with other traditional clothing,” he said.
Ahmed said that the kanduras exported by his shop are stitched using high-quality fabrics such as Japanese cotton and premium blended materials.
“There is good demand during Ramadan. People in Europe and Indian subcontinent buy kanduras to attend Taraweeh prayers and to continue with the spirit of the holy month,” he said.
According to Ahmed, the kanduras meant for Ramadan were shipped before the holy month began. “The Ramadan kanduras were sent a few days before the month started, so many clients received them on time. But the Eid kanduras are now lying on our shelves,” he said.
Like many other tailoring units in the UAE, Ahmed’s business depends heavily on air cargo to send garments abroad.
“Normally we dispatch the finished pieces by air cargo because it is fast and reliable. But due to the current disruptions, shipments have slowed. The garments are ready, but they are waiting for flights,” he added.
Source: Khaleej Times