Coronavirus: a little festive Ramadan in Jerusalem

Text by: Guilhem Delteil Follow

In Jerusalem, Ramadan will begin this Friday. Month of fasting, but also of celebration for Muslims, it is this year, of course, marked by the coronavirus. The esplanade of the Mosques, the third holiest site in Islam, is notably closed to the faithful called to pray at home. And in the Old City of Jerusalem, the atmosphere at the start of Ramadan is far from festive.

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From our correspondent in Jerusalem,

In this alleyway in the old town, the silence is broken only by two young people playing football. None of the stalls are open and behind them an imposing wooden door is closed: it leads to the Esplanade des Mosques.

This year, the spirit of Ramadan is not there, judge Eid, an inhabitant of the African quarter: "  It's tradition, all Ramadans here, there are the lights, " he said. The lights have been canceled, prayers and mosques are closed. Ramadan comes down to fasting and everyone at home. "

For the Palestinians in Jerusalem, this is the first time that they will spend Ramadan without being able to go and pray on the esplanade of the Mosques. But it was the right decision to make, says Rihab Kouferani, a resident of the old city.

"  We Arabs are not disciplined, " she comments. Many of those who are sick do not know it and people are close to each other, they mix. So it's better that it be closed.  "

At the entrance to the Old City, towards the Damascus gate, activity is stronger. Some customers stop in front of the fruit and vegetable stalls. But in the footsteps of a pastry shop, Jalal Salaymeh laments a decline in activity.

"  There is no one, not many people. People go out to buy only the bare necessities, like bread, vegetables ... It's really hard this year, very hard.  "

The police also patrol and go from store to store to set out the rules made by the Israeli government. This year, stalls cannot be opened at night.

► Read also: Coronavirus: in Israel, nationals of the Horn of Africa ask for help

► In Baghdad, the religious chant “  Pray at home  ”

Calls to prayer are still heard on the streets of Baghdad. But from the top of their minaret the muezzines have changed their message: "  pray at home  ", chant the religious now.

In memory of Baghdadi, Abu Ahmed has never known such a situation.

"  We are all confined ... We are forced to stay at home. The authorities have put in place a curfew, and no one is allowed to leave after 7 p.m. This year, we will not find the Ramadan atmosphere  : our mosques are closed, our shopping centers, our cafes will also be closed in the evening. It is even forbidden to go to public places. "

For the moment in Iraq, daily exits are authorized from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. but Abu Ahmed has only one fear: the tightening of restrictions.

"  If people do not respect the current partial curfew, the authorities will certainly end up putting in place a total curfew. It must be said that there are still far too many people on our markets. But at the same time people need fruits, vegetables and food during Ramadan  . ”

For Abu Ahmed, it makes perfect sense to give up collective prayers and family visits during this Ramadan. But it is impossible to stop all professional activity in this country where many depend on daily work.

Sami Boukhelifa

► Also to listen: Coronavirus: the concern of Iraqis facing the crisis

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