OMAN ‘AMNESTY’ FOR RAMADAN
This year, for the first time, houses of worship in Oman are welcoming illegal workers of other faiths with free meals and shelter during Ramadan, writes Foreign Correspondent Saleh Al Shaibany
Country’s mosques open doors to illegal workers, Muslim and non-Muslim, for the holy month,
MUSCAT // Every year, Ramadan brings relief to hundreds of illegal foreign workers living rough on the streets of Oman’s capital. Mosques provide them with meals and shelter, and the authorities, which would normally arrest them, observe an unofficial amnesty.
But this year, Ramadan’s spirit of compassion has been extended, with all the mosques in Muscat opening their doors to non-Muslims. Homeless workers have been welcomed for free meals every evening during the holy month, regardless of their creed, nationality or religion, said Sheikh Said Mahmood, imam of Al Seeb mosque in Muscat’s Seeb area.
“This is the first time we have opened the doors of the mosques to people from different religions for iftar,” he said.
“Normally only Muslims are allowed in, but this Ramadan anyone who is hungry is welcomed. “Ramadan is the best month for them. They temporarily end their hand-to-mouth existence and mingle freely with everyone without the fear of being arrested.
“The mosques during the holy month of Ramadan are like sanctuaries to them. Some even sleep in the courtyards and use the toilet facilities. They disappear after Ramadan.” The men sit on mats in the mosque courtyards, eating food from restaurants that residents of the neighbourhood paid for.
One of the donors is civil servant Nabil Al Darwish, 56, who said he and his neighbours came up with the idea.
“In the difficult times in which we live, we must share whatever we have with people who are less fortunate than us,” he said.
“Difficult circumstances have made them homeless and it is our duty to do something about it at least once a year.” Most of these homeless men are labourers or domestic workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Africa, who have lost their jobs.
They stay on illegally in Oman, often unable to afford the air fare home, and sleep in parks and other public places.
Ramesh Chowdhary, an Indian Hindu, entered a mosque for the first time this Ramadan, joining Muslims for iftar.
He came with Rony Rodriguez, his friend and compatriot. Their Muslim countrymen brought them to the mosque.
“I was nervous the first day of Ramadan to eat in a mosque because I know it is not allowed,” said Mr Chowdary. “But the imam assured us that it was okay to be here and we can come here during Ramadan with no obligation.”
Omani police and labour ministry inspectors turn a blind eye to illegal workers during the holy month, giving them reprieve until after the Eid holiday.
“It is a month of forgiveness and repentance,” said labour inspector Rashid Al Ismaili. “We don’t give them a hard time in Ramadan, whether they are Muslims or otherwise.
“But it is another story after the end of Ramadan. Then it is business as usual.”
The caterers have also joined in the spirit of Ramadan, making sure that the homeless do not leave the mosques empty-handed after iftar.
“We put all the food leftovers in parcels and ask the labourers to stand in a queue to collect them,” said Fazil Faisal from Al Dosteen restaurant in Muscat.
“The food has been paid for, why waste it? They take it with them and eat it at night and even for breakfast the next day.”