The Open Trade Network Market

Abdallah Seymour of the Open Trade Network who organised the market speaks to the press

The Open Trade Network had a market at the Chapelfield Gardens, as part of the Norwich & Norfolk Festival. The park is across the road from the mosque, so we tied in a superb Mosque Open Day with it too. The market was free for the traders, and there was a wide variety of stalls, ranging from food and drink to books to beauty products. In all there were around 17 stalls each day. The atmosphere was tremendous, with entertainment laid on by the NNF. Everyone who attended seemed to have a wonderful time. All in all, a very positive experience and hopefully the start of a great partnership between the OTN and NNF.

Gold dinars and silver dirhams on display and on sale at the Open Trade Network market in Chapelfield, Norwich

Perhaps most importantly we had gold and silver coinage available to exchange for sterling money. Over the weekend there was around £80 worth of silver coins exchanged, which were used in the marketplace. Additionally many people brought their gold and silver coins with them and traded with them too. All the traders without exception accepted the money over the weekend.

The coffee stall at the Open Trade Network market in Chapelfield, Norwich

The proprietor of the coffee stall personally accepted around £30 worth of silver in exchange for coffee over the weekend. This is a hugely significant step for society as a whole.

As one woman said to me: “We all know gold and silver is correct, so why aren’t we using it!” And she then exchanged £12 for silver dirhams, and went shopping in the marketplace!

Abdullah Seymour