Mukhtar Al Souq The truth from the market, for the people
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Mukhtar's Market Tours

Souq al-Khoja
The story of Damascus's bag market

Episode date: Length: 1 min 11 s Page published: · Last checked:

If you want to buy a bag in Damascus, you will probably head to Souq al-Khoja. The Mukhtar told the market's story with its long time traders.

The short answer

Souq al-Khoja is Damascus's bag and leather goods market. It used to stand in front of the Damascus Citadel, and the episode says it moved in 1985 to its current place on Thawra Street. It is named after Abdul Razzaq al-Khoja (Abu Shaker), a natural leather specialist whose customers came from around the world.

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Why is it called Souq al-Khoja?

Traders said the name comes from the late Abdul Razzaq al-Khoja, Abu Shaker. He specialised in natural leather and oriental goods, and customers came from Canada and America; even UN staff sought him out.

Where was the market?

It stood in front of the Damascus Citadel and moved in 1985 to Thawra Street. Traders formed an association that allotted shops by size and location. The place changed, but the name stayed.

How is it doing today?

Traders said it is still the place for bags and luggage, but sales depend on the season. One said natural leather declined after the tanneries closed, and the war hurt all trade.

Questions people ask

Why is Souq al-Khoja called that?

After the trader Abdul Razzaq al-Khoja (Abu Shaker), a natural leather specialist, according to the market's traders.

Where is Souq al-Khoja in Damascus?

On Thawra Street. Before 1985 it stood in front of the Damascus Citadel.

What does Souq al-Khoja sell?

Bags and leather goods; it is the best known place to buy bags in Damascus.

We ask sellers in the market and record every price with its date, in US dollars and new Syrian pounds. How we work

The Mukhtar Al Souq team: produced by (the show on his site) · written by Ahmad Nahas, Mazen Shbib, Ranim Shabani and Dania Halbouni · edited by Abdulrahman Al-Nassar and Abdulrahman Mulla · graphics by Wael Fayyad