Haj pilgrims across the world prefer to have a memorable gift from Saudi Arabia, Ajwa - soft dry variety of date fruit - whether a pilgrim from Buraidah or Bangladesh it doesn’t matter, all prefer to have a taste as well a pack back home.
Packed dates of Ajwa are available across the Kingdom especially in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah including departure lounges of International Airports. It’s the only dates that have attractive style of packing and lowest weight packs. Saudi Arabia having world’s highest number of palm trees and harvest about 35 varieties of dates and Ajwa is primer among it.
The history of Ajwa dates goes back to 5000 BC and it’s the part of Tibwi Nabvi, the Medical practice of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) through plants, where Ajwa date has prominence. There are several references in Hadith and Islamic historical literature about Ajwa. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said that “One who takes seven Ajwa dates in the morning, he remains under the protection of Allah from magic and poison for whole of the day". As many as seven Ajwa dates comprise 120 calories. Those who have made it a habit to take 5 to 7 Ajwa dates without fail everyday are less susceptible to carcinoma and circulatory diseases. The Ajwa dates are fraught with 70 percent of sugar and 30 percent of floric acid, sulphur, protein, copper, iron fibre and potassium.
Many strongly believe in remedial therapy in Ajwa as it was advocated by none other Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), specially women believes that it prevent black magic, most of women Haj pilgrims prefer to take Ajwa dates with them meant for presenting gift to their near and dear one who are suffering with various illness.
There are few farms that harvesting Ajwa in holy city of Madinah itself within the boundary Haram. There is a large farm of Ajwa located Nearby Quba mosque. A lot more farms are located on outskirts and surrounding villages of the holy city.
In Madinah most of shops selling Ajwa dates in packets and some as loose. Vendors at site of Ohud battle filed which comprising mostly foreigners are selling it loose; like other dates Ajwa also ripe in peak summer later it is kept at cold stores in order to continuing the sale throughout the year specially in Ramadan, Haj sessions. Long preservation of dates looses the taste.
Most vendors in open air with constant exposure to sun and heat selling the dates that lost real delicious taste value. Several expats are indulged in Ajwa date trading.
Ajwa variety is belonging to holy city of Madinah only and Ajwa means a product of Madinah however same variety is harvested in Qassim area also brought into Madinah and selling it with the same name. Usually foreign pilgrims are not interested in purchasing of dates from other region than Madinah. Ajwa price depends upon the size, a good quality large size dates of Ajwa now being sold around SR. 120 – 150 per KG and small size fetching the price range between SR. 80- 70 per KG. Packed tray sells containing weight of 500 grams and one kilo has more price.
As flights connectivity to various International destinations increasing from Madinah’s Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, the sale of Ajwa and other dates also gaining momentum. Online sale of Ajwa also introduced lately in Pakistan, India and Egypt.
Apart of Ajwa, Sagai and Amber verities that has large size draws attentions of foreigners in Madinah. Baid, Al Rabea and Sukkari verities are liked by largely Saudis.
The Photo Info: The Ajwa date primer quality of Madinah,