Citizens who made preparations for the holiday by going to shopping malls, bazaars and markets during the previous Eid-al-Adha holidays stay at home and do not shop this year.

Speaking to ANF, a resident of the Hakkari province, Şirin Karaman said he cannot buy anything his kids want before the Eid-al-Adha. Karaman stated that his children will wear the clothes they bought in previous holidays, as they cannot afford to shop. “The data on prices released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) never reflect the facts. We see an inflation rate that is at least twice the current price hikes reported by the TÜİK. We realize the difference while shopping. Sales have dropped significantly compared to previous holidays. This shows that the recent price hikes reduce the purchasing power of people. What we bought for 3 Turkish liras last year; we are buying it for 15 Turkish liras this year. There is, however, no increase in the income of the people to keep up with the price hikes. People run out of their salary in the first 10 days of a month. The prices of basic consumer products such as oil and flour have skyrocketed. During the previous Eid-al-Adha feasts, shopping malls were full of people one week before the holiday. The price hikes started last year, but this year we can feel it very deeply. People are in a really difficult situation, and they can't manage to subsist,” Karaman said.

NO HOLIDAY CELEBRATION POSSIBLE

Another citizen, Seyfettin Telek, said that there is a big difference between last year's holiday and this year's. Telek emphasized that they could do shopping in previous holidays, but this year it is almost impossible. “We do not have enough purchasing power. Our incomes cannot cover our needs. There is a high cost of living caused by high inflation. This inevitably affects every aspect of life. For instance, this year we will not be able to pay visits and celebrations as we did last year. Because there have been tremendous price hikes in fuel, holiday candy and food products. While holiday candy cost between 15 and 20 Turkish lira last year, it costs between 100 and 150 Turkish lira this year. So, even celebrating Eid-al-Adha is like an impossible dream under the current conditions.”

WE CANNOT BUY ANYTHING FOR OUR CHILDREN

A third citizen, Fikret Taş, said that since the purchasing power has decreased, he could not buy anything even for his children. “It is ok not to buy anything for ourselves, but it is very difficult not to buy anything for our children. We can't even afford to buy new shoes, clothes or holiday candy for children because the prices have increased by 300 percent or more. Holiday enthusiasm no longer exists. Before this holiday, people are unhappy, hopeless and grumpy. We feel embarrassment towards our children. This is a very difficult situation. The government doesn't really care about the situation of people,” Taş said.