ID :
198870
Wed, 08/03/2011 - 09:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198870
The shortlink copeid
GAZANS WELCOME RAMADAN AMID DETERIORATING ECONOMY
By Saleh Jadallah
GAZA STRIP, Aug 3 (Bernama)-- The holy month of Ramadan is much awaited by Muslims worldwide, not just because it is a blessed month but also as it is the time for family gatherings during the Iftar (breaking of fast) where food is always aplenty.
However, the situation is different in the Gaza Strip, which has been under complete blockade by Israel. The Gazans are fasting amid a deteriorating economy and the month of Ramadan has made it more tougher for them as their expenses soar by two or three times the normal amount during the holy month.
Employees have been complaining about the delay in salary payments, which they desperately need to cope with the Ramadan expenses.
Mahdi Omar, a policeman, is upset with the situation.
"The situation is seriously tough. The problem is now getting worse since Ramadan is here and the salaries have yet to be paid," he said.
Mahdi's son plans to sell juice in the Gaza market during Ramadan to help the family cope with the expenses during the holy month. The teenager is very much aware of the situation and wants to help ease his father's burden.
As for Abed Rahman Al-Zaeem, who owns a shop selling food and sweets, there are plenty of sweets and food, but no customers.
People simply do not have enough money to buy them, he said.
"You can see different kinds of food, but few people come to shop. Most of them save their money to buy the necessary things," he added.
The month of Ramadan also sees Muslims worldwide thronging the mosques for prayers. And Gazans are no different, except that they have to make do with makeshift mosques as the mosques there were destroyed in the lethal attack in 2008-2009.
Despite the warm weather, they rally together to pray in the "heated up" mosques, which are still awaiting reconstruction due to shortage of building materials.
During the Iftar, the congregation breaks its fast in the mosques, sometimes in the dark due to the power outage. One day if there is light, the next day it is back to using candles.
But they take this in their stride as they are used to using candles to "light up" their food. At times mobile generators are used and they break their fast amid the loud sound from the generators.
And what do the Gazans wish for during this holy month? As Ramadan is a month of mercy and forgiveness, the common people wish it would encourage the two rival parties - Fatah and Hamas - to start implementing the Egyptian-brokered reconciliation pact signed by both sides in May in Cairo.
They want the unity government, aimed at ending four years of split, to be formed quickly. The two factions are in dispute over who should be the prime minister.
"Ramadan teaches us the real meaning of pardon and unity. It does not matter who the next prime minister is; yet it does matter to see our people united," university student Zeyad Mansour put it aptly.
GAZA STRIP, Aug 3 (Bernama)-- The holy month of Ramadan is much awaited by Muslims worldwide, not just because it is a blessed month but also as it is the time for family gatherings during the Iftar (breaking of fast) where food is always aplenty.
However, the situation is different in the Gaza Strip, which has been under complete blockade by Israel. The Gazans are fasting amid a deteriorating economy and the month of Ramadan has made it more tougher for them as their expenses soar by two or three times the normal amount during the holy month.
Employees have been complaining about the delay in salary payments, which they desperately need to cope with the Ramadan expenses.
Mahdi Omar, a policeman, is upset with the situation.
"The situation is seriously tough. The problem is now getting worse since Ramadan is here and the salaries have yet to be paid," he said.
Mahdi's son plans to sell juice in the Gaza market during Ramadan to help the family cope with the expenses during the holy month. The teenager is very much aware of the situation and wants to help ease his father's burden.
As for Abed Rahman Al-Zaeem, who owns a shop selling food and sweets, there are plenty of sweets and food, but no customers.
People simply do not have enough money to buy them, he said.
"You can see different kinds of food, but few people come to shop. Most of them save their money to buy the necessary things," he added.
The month of Ramadan also sees Muslims worldwide thronging the mosques for prayers. And Gazans are no different, except that they have to make do with makeshift mosques as the mosques there were destroyed in the lethal attack in 2008-2009.
Despite the warm weather, they rally together to pray in the "heated up" mosques, which are still awaiting reconstruction due to shortage of building materials.
During the Iftar, the congregation breaks its fast in the mosques, sometimes in the dark due to the power outage. One day if there is light, the next day it is back to using candles.
But they take this in their stride as they are used to using candles to "light up" their food. At times mobile generators are used and they break their fast amid the loud sound from the generators.
And what do the Gazans wish for during this holy month? As Ramadan is a month of mercy and forgiveness, the common people wish it would encourage the two rival parties - Fatah and Hamas - to start implementing the Egyptian-brokered reconciliation pact signed by both sides in May in Cairo.
They want the unity government, aimed at ending four years of split, to be formed quickly. The two factions are in dispute over who should be the prime minister.
"Ramadan teaches us the real meaning of pardon and unity. It does not matter who the next prime minister is; yet it does matter to see our people united," university student Zeyad Mansour put it aptly.
