Syrian Muslims commenced their Ramadan fast on Saturday, following the fall of the Assad regime. Stringent regulations from the interim Ministry of Religious Endowments prohibit public eating during the day, contrasting with previous years. The new Islamist government’s influence raises concerns about potential shifts toward an Islamic state. Observances of Ramadan differ globally, with various nations beginning on different days, and this year holds particular significance due to ongoing regional conflicts.
In Syria, observant Muslims began their Ramadan fast on Saturday, marking the first such observance since the ousting of the Assad family’s rule. While some establishments, such as restaurants and coffee shops, closed during daytime hours, others operated discreetly, ensuring their windows were shielded from view to prevent attracting punishment for public eating or drinking. The interim Ministry of Religious Endowments mandated that food establishments observe this prohibition, citing possible imprisonment for violators. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) recently replaced the Assad regime, raising concerns about the country evolving into an Islamic state under its new governance.
This year’s Ramadan is particularly significant, as reflected in a televised statement by Hussam Haj-Hussein, the interim Minister of Religious Affairs, who remarked, “Ramadan this year comes with a new flavor. This is the Ramadan of victory and liberation.” Under Bashar Assad’s regime, people were permitted to eat in public during Ramadan, unlike under the current Islamist government, where fears of reprisal discourage such practices.
Beyond Syria, many nations including Saudi Arabia and Indonesia commenced their Ramadan observance on the same day, while others, such as Malaysia and Japan, will begin later. Additionally, this year’s Ramadan is observed in Lebanon after the conclusion of the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war, which ended with a ceasefire arranged by the United States. In contrast, residents in the Gaza Strip are nearing the end of a fragile ceasefire following extensive conflict.
Residents have observed stricter enforcement of Ramadan traditions this year. Munir Abdallah, a Damascus resident, noted that “there are many confirmations regarding the prohibition of publicly breaking the fast, with violators facing imprisonment,” indicating a cultural shift towards stringent observance of Ramadan rituals. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, varies in start dates based on local moon sightings, affecting Muslim communities’ celebrations globally.
In conclusion, the observance of Ramadan in Syria this year bears historical significance, coinciding with a transition in governance following the end of the Assad family’s rule. The stringent regulations imposed under the interim Islamist government reflect a commitment to upholding traditional Ramadan practices, although many residents express trepidation regarding potential reprisals for non-compliance. Overall, the Ramadan observance marks both a spiritual journey and a period of societal transformation for Syrians.
Original Source: www.journalgazette.net
