Bread is rising, sweets are filling up trays, and juice is being extracted, all to fill up an eastern Mosul market with the aromas of Ramadan.
Despite the impact of the coronavirus, Nabi Younis market is seeing great demand on food, beverages and sweets.
Stores had been closed for a period of time because of the virus. Now, that they are open again, customers in search of Ramadan favourites are back.
Vendor Qusay Izzedin sells bags filled with liquorice juice on a cart in the market.
He said Mosul's "unique" version of the drink "must be on every Mosulite's table."
This year, many Muslims find themselves cut off from much of what makes Ramadan special while trying to prevent further spread of the outbreak.
On any other year, worshippers would go to mosques for hours of evening prayers, or "taraweeh." But this year, many countries have closed mosques and banned taraweeh to prevent crowds.
At the heart of Ramadan is the sunrise-to-sunset fast, meant to instill contemplation of God.
As part of the holy month's communal spirit, families and friends gather for large meals at sunset, known as iftars.
Sweet shop customer Mohammed Abd says he has uncompromising Ramadan ritual of eating the traditional pastry of baklava nightly.
"The family gathers around for baklava and zalabia. This is a must," he says. "It is a fundamental thing to do after iftar."
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