MIDDLE EAST – ISLAM Jerusalem: Ramadan of prayer and tension, with increased security

Tomorrow begins the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer, which ends on April 21 with the eid al fitr. They reinforced the security cordon around the Esplanade of the Mosques. The concomitance with the Christian and Jewish Easter is cause for alert. In Saudi Arabia, restaurants are closed from sunrise to sunset. In the Emirates, they reduce the working day. The economic crisis is felt among the population.

Beirut () – In these hours, the official announcement of the Saudi authorities, who manage the two holy places of Islam – Mecca and Medina – has been released: tomorrow, March 23, Ramadan begins, the holy month of fasting and prayer in which about 1.6 billion Muslims around the world will refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, for a period that varies between 12 and 17 hours, depending on latitude. This year, the period of recollection and reflection coincides with the Christian and Jewish Easter and – especially in Jerusalem – contributes to creating an atmosphere of tension, exacerbated by the Israeli-Palestinian violence in recent months. The alert is highest in the holy city, where fears of a violent drift spread -especially in the Esplanade of the Mosques, disputed by Jews and Muslims.

The Jerusalem police are finalizing preparations to ensure the regular development of religious services and respect for the status quo on the Esplanade (which the Jews call the Temple Mount). Security units have dealt with logistics in collaboration with officials from the Waqf, the foundation in charge of guarding Islamic assets in the holy city. West Bank Palestinians should also receive twice as many entry permits as in the past for men, while women, the elderly and children will not need special documents.

In the past, the holy month has often culminated in violent clashes and tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, which is why the leaders of the Jewish State and the Palestinian Authority have decided to organize a meeting on March 19 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt). . The central theme of the meeting was the security measures to be adopted to avoid new confrontations between the parties. The escalation in recent weeks has been fueled by the cycle of violence in the West Bank, the internal crisis in Israel due to the controversial justice reform and the incendiary policy of some ministers, especially that of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, and Finance, Bezalel Smotrich.

In the last few hours, the latest factor of tension was added: last night, the Knesset repealed the 2005 “withdrawal law” in the northern West Bank, a decision that had already been criticized and paves the way for the reconstruction of four settlements, destroyed and then evacuated by Israel 18 years ago along with its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the year, the death toll of Palestinians has risen to 85, several of whom were civilians involved, much to their regret, in Israeli army operations against radical groups. The decision to reinforce the police presence in the holy city during the Friday prayers of Ramadan can also be read in this sense.

In Saudi Arabia, restaurants will remain closed throughout the day and will only be able to open after sunset for the iftar, dinner. Despite the reforms imposed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Ramadan remains one of the events that determine the life of the entire society. This year a significant flow of pilgrims is expected because it coincides with the peak of attendance at Umrah, the minor pilgrimage to Mecca, in which an estimated three million people will participate. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the authorities have reduced working hours in the public and private sectors, in addition to offering up to 70% remote work to federal employees throughout the period. Much of the Middle East region will have to cope with the economic crisis and escalating food prices, much of it used in the traditional Ramadan meal. According to a study by American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), 80% of the population cannot afford Sunday dinner. Iftar. There were also price increases in Turkey and Syria, both affected by the earthquake. The earthquake added to the effects of the bloody conflict that has been going on for 12 years in the Arab country.

The sacred month will end on April 21 with the feast of the eid al fitr, which in the past used to be distinguished by celebrations and banquets. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims must also refrain from smoking and sexual intercourse. According to tradition, in this month God revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the pilgrimage to Mecca, the canonical prayer, the testimony of faith and almsgiving. Its institution dates back to the second year of the Hegira (622 AD), with the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. According to tradition, fasting begins the moment a white thread is distinguished from a black thread. The sick and elderly are exempt from the obligation to fast, and can perform an act of charity towards the poor.

Many parents have their children observe a half-day fast.