Souq level of municipal administration. The Muhtasib was responsible for supervising business practices and collecting taxes for a given souq while the Arif are the overseers for a specific trade. Shopping at a souq or market place is part of daily life throughout much of the Middle East. Prices are commonly set by bargaining, also known as haggling, between buyers and sellers. In the 18th and 19th centuries, as Europeans began to conquer parts of North Africa and the Levant, an interest in Middle Eastern culture and architecture began to flourish. This interest spawned a genre of literary works and paintings
Manama Souq Manama Souq Manama Souq () is the old bazaar (souq) of Bahrain's capital, Manama. The Souq lies in the north of Manama, in-between the old parts of the city and the Central Business District, to the east of Noaim and west of Ras Rumman. The main entrance is the historic Bab Al Bahrain building. The country's only synagogue is located in the area. The Manama Souq has been redeveloped since its original construction. It is now divided into a new part and an old part. The new part is pedestrianized while the old area has roads for cars and walkways