Region celebrates despite restrictions and a rise in cases
Covid-19 restrictions remain in place across the region as Ramadan begins, with large gatherings banned to help prevent the spread of infection.
Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the new moon yesterday, marking the beginning of the holy month today.
In an address carried by state media, King Salman urged people to adhere to preventive measures to ensure the safety of those living in the kingdom.
“Ramadan comes this year as the world reels under the coronavirus pandemic,” King Salman was quoted as saying by Al Ekhbariya TV.
“We ask everyone to adhere to the preventive measures and take the initiative to receive the vaccines.”
King Salman urged all Muslims to unite and praised the steps taken to ensure the safety of those undertaking Umrah during the holy month.
In Egypt, strings of colourful lights hung across the facades of apartment buildings in Cairo to mark Ramadan.
Shoppers in the city wasted little time in following familiar traditions in the run-up to the holy month, with many stocking up on items such as dates.
Ramadan can be a rich and diverse experience for Egyptians. But it can also a challenging time for many people in the Arab world’s most populous nation because of high food prices and lengthy traffic jams.
Unlike last year, Egyptian authorities have not imposed restrictions on movement, although some safety measures remain in place as the country grapples with a third wave of infection.
Egypt has recorded more than 210,450 cases of Covid-19 so far and more than 12,000 deaths.
Taraweeh prayers are limited to 30 minutes this year and people are barred from staying in mosques to pray during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
In Iraq, authorities announced restrictions on movement and a ban on gatherings as a new wave of infections hit the country.
The Health Ministry reported 7,953 new cases yesterday and 44 deaths.
The country registered 8,331 cases last Wednesday – the highest daily increase in infections since the outbreak began.
The holy month begins today for members of Iraq’s Sunni minority, while the Shiite religious authority declared tomorrow as the start date. The difference is because each sect uses a different Moon-sighting method.
People will not be allowed to move freely between 8pm and 5am for three weeks and a lockdown will be imposed on Fridays and Saturdays, the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety said.
Pharmacies, bakeries, supermarkets and grocery shops are exempt from the weekend restrictions but must close their doors at 7pm.
“In previous years, we couldn’t cope with the demand and the influx of shoppers before and during Ramadan,” supermarket owner Karim Mohammed, 55, told The National.
“The soaring prices of foods are discouraging Ramadan shoppers from stocking up on food for days or for the whole month.”
The effects of the pandemic are also being felt in Jordan, as authorities tackle a surge in deaths that started two months ago. Movement restrictions are in place during the day on Fridays to help curb the spread of the disease.
The measure will remain in place during the holy month, as will a stay-home order that runs from 7pm to 6am on all other days.
More than 7,800 Covid-19 patients have died in Jordan since the pandemic began. More than 669,000 infections have been recorded.
The spread of infection is also taking a toll in Gaza, but residents of the Palestinian enclave still filled markets as Ramadan approached.
In Lebanon, meanwhile, people are observing Ramadan after a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Programme named the country on a list of “hunger hot spots”. An economic crisis had already pushed more than half of the population into poverty.
Essential food prices have increased by more than 400 per cent, while the monthly minimum wage dropped from $450 to less than $50 at the current market exchange rate.
This means food is too expensive for many people.
A stay-home order was introduced yesterday and will remain in effect throughout the holy month. People are barred from being outside between 9.30pm and 5am.
Mosques will be allowed to open for prayers, but only at 30 per cent of full capacity.