The first time I came here the old centre was crowded with craftsmen. Now much of it is more like a large market place. Many of the goods will be imported from countries with even cheaper labour, and the hand-labourers have largely moved to the edge of town, where the rents are lower.

Many of the streets have been roofed over - one can see this in many cities now. It detracts from the atmosphere, but is cooler in summer, warmer in winter, dry one a rainy day, so who am I to blame them. To the right is the entrance to another mosque, the recently renovated Yeni or New Mosque.