As people gathered to celebrate Christmas worldwide, some were busy making huge sums of money as many Christmas shoppers hit retail stores looking for last minute deals. Moving around several places in Kigali city, especially Nyamirambo area which is predominantly a Muslim community, business was normal.
As people gathered to celebrate Christmas worldwide, some were busy making huge sums of money as many Christmas shoppers hit retail stores looking for last minute deals.
Moving around several places in Kigali city, especially Nyamirambo area which is predominantly a Muslim community, business was normal.
Speaking to some of the shoppers, they expressed that they had been busy and hadn’t had time to shop for Christmas.
"I have just withdrawn cash from the ATM (Automated Teller Machine), I came here to buy things in Nyamirambo because this is only place which is open for shopping,” said Jean Claude Habimana.
Most shops in the city centre were closed, as people had gone to church and as well as to celebrate Christmas.
In Nyamiramo, groceries, retail stores, gift and clothes shops were open and a large number of people were buying merchandise.
Abdulkhalim Nsengimana, a grocery retailer, said that he believes Christmas means the birth of Jesus Christ but as a Muslim, that does not stop him from operating his business.
"We are getting very many customers because most of the places are not open, this is a good opportunity for us to make money.”
According to Hadijja Mukamusoni, a clothes vendor, celebrating Christmas is for Christians, for her she only celebrates Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Ad’ha.
"I cannot refuse to go to my friend’s place who is a Christian to celebrate Christmas with them, but this doesnot stop my business,” she said.
Evariste Nkurunziza, a butchery owner, said he cashed in more money on Christmas more than before because he received many customers.
"I am very excited, I did not go to church and decided to operate my business because this is the most strategic moment to make money due to the fact that most butcheries were closed,” he asserted.