Benghazi – Libyan neighborhoods witness a recurring scene every Ramadan. A clay oven emits smoke, signaling the approach of Iftar. The aroma of hot bread mixed with olive wood fills the alleys. Customers line up, waiting for their loaves. Smartphones have become a strong presence in this traditional scene. They share photos of Sfinz and Zalabia before they leave the oil. Juice carts transform into digital posts awaiting interaction.
Hajj Miftah Al-Tawerghi stands before his oven. He inherited it from his father. He says customers used to ask for him by name. Now, they contact him by phone to reserve bread before leaving home. Some customers get angry when supplies run out. Others arrive before Iftar, based on their prior reservations.
This shift has prompted many oven owners to create social media pages. They display photos of bread and specify working hours. They respond to orders via private messages. This blends heritage with modern digital tools.
In the popular sweets market, Anas Al-Zawi confirms a change. He stands behind a pot of oil minutes before sunset. Competition is no longer limited to nearby shops. It has extended to online pages that sell and offer home delivery. These pages are often run by women from their homes.
Al-Zawi adds that he started posting short frying videos on his page this year. This directly resulted in increased orders. It is a clear indicator of digital presence impacting sales volume.
Salem Al-Dursi has sold natural juices for over fifteen years. He believes that absence from the online space means losing market share. He affirms that technology has saved time and effort. It has allowed product display via digital pages. This is instead of relying entirely on direct street sales.
Local traders estimate that popular sweets sales rise by at least 60% in Ramadan. This is compared to other months of the year. The juice sector also sees a significant increase before Iftar. Local economy specialists confirm that digital transformation in religious seasons has not eliminated traditional professions. Instead, it has changed competition tools. It has added speed and wider reach.
Social researchers believe the essence of Ramadan does not easily disappear. However, its form changes. Technology has given these professions access to farther neighborhoods and areas. The challenge remains to preserve the social dimension. Collective purchasing rituals traditionally created this dimension.
Between the heat of the oven and phone notifications, Libyan Ramadan continues. It combines authenticity and innovation. Technology has not eliminated Ramadan professions. Instead, it has reshaped them to suit the digital age.