Ramadan…Fasting, feasting, praying, partying Ramadan Banquets Price Hikes Traffic Jams TV Drama Ramadan cannon Historic Month Pillar of Islam DUBAI (AlArabiya.net) Ideally, Ramadan is the month where Muslims should not only abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn to dusk, but also practice self-discipline, sacrifice, patience and sympathy for those less fortunate. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars (duties) of Islam and is believed to be the month during which the Muslim Holy book known as the Qur'an was revealed. It is defined as the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar. In reality, things are not that perfect. Ramadan banquets mean people eat more food in this month than any other. The youth in some countries turn to drugs when alcohol is banned from restaurants. And people spend copious amounts of time watching special TV sitcoms and soaps. Ramadan changes almost every aspect of a Muslim's life, especially in the Arab world. Work hours are shorter in both public and private sectors. Mosques are packed, especially during the evening prayers that are followed by tarawih (prayers peculiar to the month of Ramadan). Ramadan Banquets Pakistani Muslims at a Ramadan banquet One of the most unique features of Ramadan is Iftar banquets -- “Mawaid Al-Rahman” or literally “Banquets of the Gracious”. Large banquets offering free Iftar meals to the poor or passers-by at Iftar are a common scene in the Arab and Muslim worlds in Ramadan. Rich people race to offer the symbol of solidarity among Muslims during the holy month of fasting. The tradition has expanded vastly in the last three decades. In Egypt, even the church and some Christian businessmen offer Ramadan banquets as a token of national unity among Muslims and Christians in the biggest Arab country. Price Hikes Through the years, certain traditions have become associated with the month of Ramadan in the Arab world, which are not necessarily religion-related. The prices of foodstuff soar during the month of fasting, without apparent reasons. According to Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, prices of vegetables, poultry and other foodstuffs increased 75 to 100 percent since the start of Ramadan. The problem has been an annual ritual in the most populous Arab country, despite government promises to introduce strict measures to control Ramadan prices. All Arab countries face the same problem. Saudi Arabia has, this year, introduced a society to protect consumers against price hikes during the holy fasting month. Traffic Jams Traffic gets heavier before Iftar During Ramadan, Arab capitals and major cities tend to witness almost daily traffic jams, especially at rush hours. Ramadan rush hours are usually an hour or two before Iftar, when everybody is keen on making it home in time for the meal. Streets of all Arab capitals and major cities (Cairo, Riyadh, Damascus…etc) also tend to look almost deserted during Iftar time. TV Drama Watching TV in Ramadan Another aspect associated with the holy month is the large number of TV series produced and broadcast in Ramadan around the Arab world. Egypt’s TV is the oldest in the Arab world and it has for decades set the tradition of showing its most viewed shows in Ramadan. With the advent of satellite channels, the race to win the highest Ramadan ratings intensified further. MBC, for example, shows eight special TV series. Ramadan turns into a season for TV series because people tend to spend more time at home or visiting family. After the iftar banquet, men go to pray at a mosque and then families sit together to watch Ramadan shows. While work hours are two or three hours shorter during the month, primetime TV programming tends to expand to 10-12 hours daily. Ramadan cannon The Ramadan cannon has sounded for 562 years “Madfa’ Ramadan” – the Ramadan cannon -- dates back to the Memluk era in Egypt and the Arab world. Over 562 years ago, Memluk Sultan Khoush Qadam accidentally triggered a tradition that still stands today. The Sultan received a German- made cannon and wanted to try it. It was almost sunset of the first day of Ramadan and when the cannon went off, people thought it was a sign to break their fast. Seeing how happy the people were, the Sultan made it a daily tradition in Ramadan. Historic Month The month of Ramadan has witnessed some of the most important Muslim victories since the advent of the Islamic era over 14 centuries ago. The first Muslim victory was against the infidels of Quraish in the battle of Badr in 624 (Ramadan 17). Every year Muslims celebrate Badr in Ramadan 17. The conquest of Mecca happened in Ramadan 630. Other Ramadan victories are the famous battle of Hittin, when Muslims led by the great leader Saladin Al-Ayubi crushed the crusaders and regained Jerusalem and the battle of Ain Jalut against Tatars in 1260. Finally, Muslims, especially Egyptians and Arabs, celebrate the 1973 victory against Israel which fell on Ramadan 6. Pillar of Islam Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayers 5 times a day, paying the Zakah (a certain sum paid by capable Muslims to help sustain the poor), making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. Months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. With the Islamic lunar calendar year being 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. In 2006, Ramadan started September 23 in most Arab and Muslim countries, with a few exceptions. This year, Ramadan started September 13. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every Muslim, male or female, who is adult and sane and who is not sick or on a journey. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from dawn until dusk, refraining from food, drink and all vices. After "iftar" (the breaking of the fast or "breakfast") Muslims enjoy a feast of treats but must still refrain from all vices, such as anger, envy, greed, backbiting, gossip and lust. Refraining from food and drink from dawn till dusk is not enough, slowing down from worldly affairs and focusing on self reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment through prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability should also be stressed during the month. Fasting is intended to be an act of deep and personal worship in which the individual seeks a raised level of closeness to God, taking his/her heart away from worldly wants and desires and cleansing the soul. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of inner peace and tranquility. Since Ramadan is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and generally are more charitable by giving to the poor and needy. Eid al-Fitr -- the Festival of Breaking the Fast -- marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, when a special celebration is made. (Compiled by Khaled Mamdouh and Mona Moussly). 70 dead as Iraqi forces defeat doomsday cult Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film Comments 1 - Ramadan Muslim [ Friday, September 28, 2007 ] Ramadan is the month where contradictions between the spirit of Islam and stupidity of most Muslims in realizing the goal of that spirit is most reflected. Thank you for this revealing article JAZAKUL ALLAH KHAIRAN 2 - its good ,but not too good also thesemantisist@hotmail.com [ Sunday, September 30, 2007 ] can u say me y have u given the example of EGYPT only...wht is the story u kinda quite entusiastic wth egyptian...did u ever see RAMADAN IN SAUDIA...ASK ANY MUSLIM WHO HAVE SPEND HIS RAMADAN IN SAUDIA...HE WILL SAY BY GOD'S PROMISE...THERS NO RAMADAN MORE CHEERFUL AND MORE ENJOYABLE THAN OF SAUDIA..... SOOO PLZZ STOP BEING SLIGHTING COMPLETELY TOWARDS EGYPT... NEWAY THANKS ...JAZAKUM ALLAH KHAIR 3 - ramadan kareem inshallah Palestinian [ Tuesday, October 09, 2007 ] u r right " reply number 2 " why you are slighting about agypt ... and when you want talk about any other country you say arab countries ... i think ramadan in egypt is not the same of palestine and saudi arabia as well.... if you want to write a report about something like ramadan or el eid as well you have to be rational anyway thank you, it's a good report by the way jazak allah kol kheer. peace Leave a Comment Ramadan: A Return to God How to reform the past How to prepare for the future Amr Khaled Ramadan is the time of the year when the soul is revamped from the previous year and reconstructed for the coming one. The human being is like a machine that needs regular fixing and continuous upgrading for better performance. Ramadan is how God proves His love for His subjects and His keenness to grant them happiness both in this life as well as the next. It is the best opportunity for them to cleanse their souls of any evil from the previous year. In Ramadan, people go back to their original good selves. It's a return to God and the constitution He blessed humanity with -- the Quran, a restoration of the true spirit of Islam that calls for love and compassion between people. After getting rid of impurities, the soul is rejuvenated in preparation for the coming year. It becomes ready for a strong affinity with God, for the determination to resist sins and conquer the devil. Thus, people start becoming true Muslims who obeys God everywhere they go—at work, in the street, at school, in the mosque, etc. The Prophet (PBUH) said that in Ramadan "all the gates of heaven are open. The gates of hell are closed, and the devils are shackled." The devil has no access to the human soul in this month. How to reform the past 1- Self evaluation: Be accountable to yourself. Whether privately or publicly, think of everything you've done and ask yourself where you went wrong. This is the best way to begin to cleanse your soul. 2- Atonement: This erases your sins and allows you to start anew. Even infidels will be forgiven if they repent, so imagine what it would be like for the believer who just went astray for a while. 3- Supplication: It is like atonement, only more effective. The prophet always reiterated that God listens to all supplicants and forgives their sins. Pleading to God directly makes you closer to Him and eliminates all the wrongdoing you may have done. 4- Invocation: Uttering God's name protects you from disobeying Him. It revives the soul and alerts the conscience. It is like waking up from the dead, as the prophet said. 5- Contemplation: Ponder God's creation and the blessings He bestowed upon you and the world. This strengthens your faith and revives the good inherent in you. 6- Praying: Surrendering yourself to God in this act of reverence and humility absolves you of all sins. 7- Good deeds: The more good you do, the more sins you are absolved of. How to prepare for the future 1- Real fasting: Fasting makes your will stronger and enhances your determination to resist sins. Fasting is not only about abstaining from food drink; it is avoiding words that hurt and deeds that harm. The power to resist is the core of fasting. 2- The Quran: It is the law that guides you to the right path and grants you the ultimate bliss on earth and in the afterlife. 3- Honesty: In fasting, you are only answerable to God; nobody else knows if you're really fasting. It trains you to be sincere in everything you do, and this sincerity will stay with you all year long and will be applied to everything you do. 4- Ethics: Stay away from foul words and immoral deeds. Honesty, justice, hard work, and cooperation are the most important virtues. If every Ramadan you work on atoning for past sins and preparing for future chastity, you will find that this process gets easier every year. There will come a time when you will be totally free sin, and in the Ramadans that follow, you will focus on attaining higher and higher levels of spirituality. * Published on Amr Khaled's official Web site in Arabic. Amr Khaled is a Muslim activist and preacher from Egypt, who was ranked among the world's most influential people by Time Magazine. (Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid). 70 dead as Iraqi forces defeat doomsday cult Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film Comments 1 - Computer Engineer Mansoor Ahmad [ Monday, October 01, 2007 ] Khaled, Salaamz!!! Kindly refer to Para 3 of Section "how to reform the past". "Appealing to God and the Prophet directly brings you closer" The above advise is an act of Shirk. Prophet taught us to Appeal ONLY to God. We must nevr appeal to Prophet. We must only follow him (what he did) and act as he advised (Deen). He never taught sahabas to ever appeal to him after his death... He rather appealed to keep beard (as Allah loves it) and do acts of Dawah (personally meet people and explain the vitues of living an Islamic life and the rewards in the hereafter). I liked everything else in the article very much... Keep up the good job... Just make a note to get your Islamic arcticles reviewed by a mufti before you unleash it. May Allah guide us. A Month of Virtue Tarik Al Maeena The month of Ramadan has come up on us again. For some it would be the first time they would be venturing into and exercising their Ramadan duties. During this blessed month, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours; but Ramadan is much more than that. Ramadan is not just about holding off food and drink. Beyond such physical restraints, it is also a time to purify one’s being, refocus attention on God, and practice patience and self-sacrifice. During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of one’s body submits to the conditions of the fast. Spiritually, we are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate our lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits — essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. This month is also a means of making some of us understand the trials and tribulations of the less fortunate who suffer from lack of food and drink not just during this month. “Siyam”, the Arabic word for “fasting” literally means, “to refrain”. That restriction does not apply only to food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul of impurities and refocus one’s self on the worship of God. Ramadan is not a time to exercise one’s impatience or aggressive behavior, or to look at oneself, as if he or she is the only one fasting and putting up with hardship. It is perhaps a time when our civic sense should be at its peak. So should be our code of ethics and behavior toward others. Those of us speeding erratically on our roads with not a hint of concern to the plight or safety of others are not practicing Ramadan. Others who boorishly barge in and jump queues because they are fasting are also not observing the sanctity of this month. They are simply not eating and drinking during daylight hours. By placing others at some level of stress just to appease one’s own desires does not qualify a successful fast. By ignoring work responsibilities and schedules, by sleeping in when duty calls, or by avoiding responsibility toward others does not do for a good Ramadan. Cats and dogs often go without food during daylight hours. But that does not qualify them to be fasting spiritually. Let us then elevate our consciousness this month to a much higher plateau — one that strives to spiritually guide us toward the care and concern of others who may need our assistance. Let this be a month when our spirit of welfare toward our community is marked by concrete steps that etch our progress. Let this month not be simply reduced to food or sleep deprivation, for then it would have no spiritual value. Let this indeed be a month of virtue within us. * Published in Saudi Arabia's ARAB NEWS on September 15, 2007. Some ignore Ramadan etiquette, others see advantages Dubai expats unfazed by Ramadan restrictions Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (File) DUBAI (AFP) Several mainly Western expatriates sit down for lunch at a popular cafe in a well-heeled Dubai district. An unremarkable scene for the cosmopolitan free-wheeling Gulf emirate -- except the diners entered by a back door. Their low-key arrival is one example of the restrictions observed by thousands of Dubai's non- Muslim residents during Ramadan, when Muslims have to abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and dusk. As well as being discouraged from eating and drinking in public during Ramadan, everyone -- regardless of faith -- is urged to act and dress modestly out of respect for the holy month and the native Muslim population. But given the amount of tanned flesh on display at many of Dubai's outlandish shopping malls and chic bars, this call for propriety fails to resonate with some residents and visitors to a city-state aiming to become a global business and leisure hub. Linda Mirdad, an Irish-born Muslim convert who has lived in Dubai for 10 years, told AFP that the relatively liberal nature of the emirate made some people forget about or disregard its Islamic foundations. "Expatriates living in Dubai could show a little bit more respect for Islam during Ramadan. We do have a lot of freedom here, so I would ask people not to abuse it," she said. English-language radio stations broadcast public announcements during the holy month urging people to keep the volume down on their car stereos and to act with decorum in a city which for many is the major entertainment center of the Middle East. Help is on hand for anyone unfamiliar with the norms and practices of Ramadan and Islam as a whole. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was established a decade ago to raise awareness of and understanding between the estimated 150 nationalities living in the emirate. The non-profit group, named after Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, organizes regular activities during Ramadan, with one of the most popular being a guided tour of a mosque. While some of the emirate's non-Muslim residents might feel inconvenienced during the month of Ramadan, others are quick to point out its advantages. "It's great. I get to leave work much earlier," one British expatriate who declined to be named told AFP. He was referring to the five-hour day his company introduced for all of its employees during Ramadan, whether they were fasting or not. Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates with foreigners comprising a majority of the 1.3-million population. Most of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims started the fast of Ramadan on September 13. The beginning of the holiest month in the Muslim calendar is traditionally determined by the sighting of a new crescent moon. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, which in Arabic means the festival of the breaking of the fast. 70 dead as Iraqi forces defeat doomsday cult Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film Comments 1 - Shame Khaled [ Friday, September 28, 2007 ] It seems when Arabs decide to enlighten themselves, liberlise the economy and open up their culture, the first thing to go down the drain is their religion. What a sad sight! Sometimes I am ashaemd to be called an Arab. 2 - why why ???? brig [ Friday, September 28, 2007 ] ..... told AFP that the relatively liberal nature of the emirate made some people forget about or disregard its Islamic ) why this people Abase my country Printers4.blogspot.com 3 - eeee thesemantisist@hotmail.com here yeeeeep this peooples will drain religion at frst [ Tuesday, October 02, 2007 ] dunno wht this guys r doing..Everyone is frgetting tht we r muslims...me too ashamed to be called arab..wht can i do its in my blood...those guys r changing the whole structure of islam..gone the days of strictly obetying islamic rules..whtever. 4 - respect for other faiths. razzak haatam [ Thursday, October 04, 2007 ] Islam is one of the few foremost faiths that recognizes the the right of people to be different, promoting tolerance and diversity. We are the most tolerant people and expect others to respect our sensitivities. Love God and be righteous in your deeds, Thank God for bestowing me with the ability to be a Muslim, the most intellectual faith on this globe. 5 - There is only One God Paul Abrahamson [ Saturday, October 06, 2007 ] During Judgment Day those who did not know will tell those who knew: "Why did you not share with us the Message of Prophet Muhammad in words and in practice.?" Fasting month becomes "all about the food" Bahrainis pack on pounds in Ramadan feasts Hotels offer rich iftar buffets in Gulf countries (File) MANAMA (Reuters) Guests at a hotel buffet in Bahrain queue for meats, stews, curries and pastries, balancing food on their plates in increasingly precarious mounds to break the daily fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The banquet often continues late into the night in Gulf Arab countries, and many Muslims end up gaining weight during a month that is meant to improve health and remind the devout of the plight of the poor. Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset in Ramadan, during which followers are meant to renew their ties with God through prayer. Islam's Prophet Mohammed is said to have broken his fast gradually and eaten modestly, starting with dates and water -- a far cry from guests seen pouncing on piles of rich food at any of the Gulf's iftar, or breakfast, banquets. "I always put on a lot of weight during Ramadan. It's a big problem," said student Ali Hussein. "Firstly people eat too much, secondly they don't carry on their normal routine and sleep a lot, and thirdly Ramadan food is very rich." Tents are erected around the Gulf during Ramadan to house the banquets, usually buffets laid on by hotel chains. Many are lavish affairs sponsored by large corporations. Tasty but calorific delights particular to the season's feasts include various pastries stuffed with cream and nuts or soaked in syrup, or both. Iftar weight gain is compounded by sohour or ghabga feasts, a similar meal to iftar scheduled later in the evening, and also by the Gulf's shorter Ramadan working hours, when many choose to sleep during pre-iftar hours rather than feel hungry. "There's a health angle to Ramadan. The Prophet said to fast and be healthy ... one of the fundamentals of fasting in modern and ancient medicine is to get rid of toxins and excess body fat," said Sayed Jaffer al Alawi, a religious scholar. But many Gulf Muslims say this is difficult given the variety of rich foods rarely seen outside Ramadan, and the tendency to do little more than sleep or watch television after the heavy iftar meal. "There are quite a few people who come after Ramadan saying they've put on weight," said Ahmed Farooq, a doctor specializing in obesity at Bahrain's International Hospital. "When you eat too much rich food late, there's not much activity afterwards. Most people eat and sleep, and so the body conserves more. The blood runs to the stomach and so you feel lethargic," he added. Iftar banquet guest Ahmed Yousef said he followed the teachings of the Prophet and broke his fast with moderation, consequently losing weight during Ramadan. More importantly, he said, he felt closer to God through extra prayers and Quran readings, and more empathy for the poor. "Unfortunately, I'd say for about half of Bahrainis, Ramadan is all about the food," he said, adding that other Gulf Muslims were the same. 70 dead as Iraqi forces defeat doomsday cult Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film Comments 1 - FOR MUSLIMS NOW A DAYS RAMADAN IS MEANT FOR FOOD "thesemantisist@hotmail.com" [ Sunday, September 30, 2007 ] NOW A DAYS MANY MUSLIMS KEEP ON EATING N EATING DURING IFTAAR..I MY SELF HAVE SEEN SUCH PEOPLES EATING WHILE THE MAGHRIB PRAYER IS GOING ON...AND THE PEOPLES WANTS GET MORE DURING RAMADAN....I DUNNO WHT HAPPENED TO THE PEOPLES Roams the streets, waking people for pre-dawn meal Return of Ramadan drummer signals safer Gaza GAZA (Ola Al-Madhoun, AlArabiya.net) The return of the traditional dawn drummer – who wakes fasting Muslims for their last meal before sunrise – to the streets of Gaza has brought a bit of Ramadan cheer to the otherwise deadly territory. Many see the return of al-Mesaharati, who wakes people up so they can have sohour -- the pre-dawn meal before the daytime fast begins -- as a synonym for peace. Residents say that if the traditional drummer can walk from street to street, down camps and alleyways, beating his little drum at 3 a.m., he must feel a sense of security. Nassar Salem, a mesaharati who inherited the profession from his father, says that the return of peace and quiet is a good opportunity to make some money. Salem told Al-Arabiya.net that he has not worked for the past two years as "kidnappings and assassinations were everywhere." People pay him "what they can afford" after the month comes to an end, he said. "Palestinians can now enjoy Ramadan in the full sense," said resident Ma'een al-Agha. "Despite all the problems that might have made the holy month lose part of its joy, traditions like al- mesaharati could make up for that." But Mohamed, a graduate student at the Islamic University, begs to differ. "I get annoyed when I listen to the drum beating, and he does it too early—almost 3 hours before dawn prayers." According to Mohamed, the mesaharati is no longer needed, since most people stay up watching Ramadan serials and programs into the early hours of the morning. Sociologist Randa Mahmoud says the tradition is deeply-rooted in the psyche of Palestinians, pointing out that it was never rendered obsolete even by modern technology. "It disappeared for security reasons. Plus mesaharatis had to obtain permits from the Israeli army to do their job," said Mahmoud. "The way Gazans welcome the return of el- mesaharati is very nostalgic. They want to reconnect with their past and their roots even if it's by hanging on to ancient traditions." (Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid). People blame merchants, government Price hikes ruin Ramadan joy in Jordan Government moves Despite Royal directives, food prices are soaring AMMAN (AFP) The large increase of food prices in Jordan is making it hard many people to enjoy the spirit of Ramadan, with some putting the blame on the government and others blaming merchants. "I have five children and had to borrow money to cope with a sudden jump in food prices during Ramadan," said Salem Saeed, a school teacher in the Jordanian capital Amman. Saeed is one of many cash-strapped Jordanians who are scrambling to cover expenses during the Muslim holy month, during which people fast during the day but then feast after sundown as lavishly as their budgets permit. "I do not know what I will do when Eid (the feast marking the end of Ramadan) comes," Saeed told AFP. Prices of poultry, dairy and other essential products have recently surged by between seven and 30 percent since the start of Ramadan. In a country where minimum wages are set at 110 dinars (around 156 dollars), the last thing impoverished Jordanians want is a hefty price for foodstuffs for their elaborate meals that break each day's fast. "Greedy merchants have increased the prices without a mercy. I love the holy month, but they have spoiled our joy," Saeed said desperately as he looked for bargains. Issa Salem, a public servant, blamed both merchants and the government for the "crazy" prices. "Prices and living expenses have drastically risen because a lot of merchants exploited the high demand on food during Ramadan and the government does not monitor them," Salem said angrily. But Haidar Murad, who heads the Amman Chamber of Commerce, urged people to be fair to merchants. "Honestly, I have to say that prices increased in Ramadan because they have surged internationally, and local merchants should not be blamed for all of this.” Government moves The problem has prompted King Abdullah II to ask the government to clamp down on food price rises. "The most important things for me are prices and the availability of basic foodstuffs for the people," the king told a cabinet meeting, two days before Ramadan started on September 13. "We must protect the people. There are various mechanisms and I will monitor this very seriously," he warned. The King instructed Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit to take "quick measures" to protect low- and middle-income Jordanians and to sanction those who manipulate food prices. Bakhit last week urged the private sector to "do whatever it takes to lower the unacceptable prices," formed committees to control them and asked producers to set up "public markets" to sell directly to consumers at wholesale prices. On the other hand, veteran economist Fahed Fanek described the price argument as "unjustified fuss." "If the government is serious in its attempt to interfere in the market to suppress prices, the only method allowed under our present free economic system is to employ positive and negative incentives through its management of the macro economy," Fanek wrote in the English-language Jordan Times. "If prices made a jump, the reason will not be inflation, which is under control, but the big noise made by the press and the hasty measures taken by the government. They are self-fulfilling predictions." But whether Jordanians are frustrated at paying more for food during Ramadan, most agree that when it comes to dessert they are ready to make the necessary sacrifices. There is one staple that will always have its place on the Ramadan table and that is "katayef" -- a sort of pancake made from flour and milk that is filled with cheese, cream or nuts that can be fried or baked. "Shops in Ramadan are full of things that a lot of people can't buy, but katayef are a must for me during the holy month. I will buy them regardless of the cost," said Abdullah, a mechanic. The price of a kilogram (more than two pounds) of katayef has doubled to one dinar (1.4 dollars) in several areas around Amman since last year, Abdullah said. Dramatic price hikes have also been reported in several other Muslim countries ahead of Ramadan, including Qatar, Egypt and Tunisia. Want dancing and music videos banned Egyptian MPs call for Ramadan crackdown A traditional Ramadan tent (File) DUBAI (AlArabiya.net) Egyptian legislators called for a wide-ranging crackdown on un-Islamic practices during Ramadan, including a ban on dancing in festive tents and music videos that violate the religious spirit of the Muslim holy month. The members of parliament – who cross the spectrum of independent as well as ruling party MPs, the Muslim Brotherhood and the opposition -- said music videos should be replaced with religious chanting and spiritual programs, according to a report by Quds Press news agency. Indignant MPs said tent owners break the law by getting permits for "cultural and religious" gatherings, then turn them into nightclubs. The MPs claim they also hire "hookers" who act like customers, but dance provocatively and encourage deviant behavior. They charge that the tourism and vice police are unable to act since the women are not officially hired by the tent operators. The MPs also called on the government to crack down on restaurants that hike the prices of meals and hotels that serve alcohol in Ramadan. Two Egyptian lawyers have already filed suit -- demanding a ban on Ramadan tents and the return of money spent on Ramadan soap operas. In the first case, lawyer Salah El-Din Galal filed a suit against the ministries of Culture and Tourism as well as the Cairo governorate. According to Galal, the three bodies are responsible for maintaining propriety, issuing licenses for tents and granting permits to singers and dancers. In the second case, lawyer Nabih El-Wahsh, known for filing lawsuits against "erotic" movies, sued the Minister of Information, Anas El-Feqi, and an television station accusing them of squandering millions of Egyptian pounds on TV shows while other people are starving. Wahsh said he filed this lawsuit on behalf of "unmarried women, the unemployed and the millions of barefoot, naked Egyptians who are starving and commit suicide for not being able to support their families." He called for the money to be returned and given to those who really need it. (Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid). New report says team slaps fines on rule breakers Malaysian team on lookout for Ramadan violators During Ramadan Muslims must abstain from eating, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk (File) KUALA LAMPUR (AFP) An undercover Islamic team in Malaysia is on the look-out for Muslims who violate Ramadan by eating, drinking or smoking during the day-time, a report said Monday. Authorities in Kota Baru, state capital of Kelantan, told the New Straits Times that plain- clothes officers would spy on food outlets and hand out fines of 20 ringgit (six dollars) to those caught cheating during the Muslim fasting month. During Ramadan, which began last week, observant Muslims abstain from eating, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. "This is the first time the council is taking this action as we have received numerous complaints about those who eat openly during the fasting period," city council public relations director Azman Mohd Daham said. Muslim food outlets will be slapped with 500 ringgit (144 dollar) fines for violating a directive to remain closed until 3pm, he said. Kelantan is the only Malaysian state governed by the Islamic opposition party, PAS. Last year it triggered a furor by introducing fines for women who work in shops and restaurants wearing revealing clothes such as mini-skirts or see-through blouses.