Islamic Books Sale Booming in Ramadan

By Hadi Yahmid, IOL Correspondent

PARIS, October 9, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The sale of books about Islam, fasting, Islamic tents, prominent figures in Muslim history boom in France during the holy month of Ramadan.

"France's six million Muslims see Ramadan as a golden opportunity to buy their favorite Islamic books," Mansour Mansour, the head of Albouraq publishing house, told IslamOnline.net.

"We have registered over the past years a hike in the sales of Islamic and Arabic books during the holy month."

Sales of the Islamic books rose by 33% during last year's Ramadan.

Mansour said they are now renting special pavilions inside hypermarket chains like Carrefour, Auchan, Casino and Leclerc to showcase their books.

On Friday, October 7, Albouraq organized a special Ramadan fair in more than 150 malls across France to meet a growing demand for Islamic books.

The Muslim minority in France, the biggest in Europe, started observing the dawn-to-dusk fasting month on Tuesday, October 4.

Islamic Bridge

Mansour said displaying Islamic publications in the French malls is part of sincere efforts to bridge gaps between the Muslim world and the West.

"Albouraq is endeavoring to spread the Islamic culture among the French people," he noted.

The publishing house is showcasing books about Ramadan spirituality, including "Secrets of Fasting" by late prominent Muslim scholar Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali.

Translated copies of the Noble Qur'an and books on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are also on the show.

"There are also books on Ramadan's favorite meals and other publications for children to learn more about Islam," Mansour added.

Established in 1996, Albouraq is the major French publishing house specialized in Arab and Islamic cultures.

French writers of Arab and Muslim origin top France's list of best-selling novels and books, according to a poll by the Ipsos Institute.