Ramzan Losing Its Sheen To Swine Flu and Recession

Satellite TV networks launched special programming of serial dramas, sitcoms, talk shows and films in a bid to grab market share in the peak viewing period of the year.

Arab News columnist Tariq al-Maeena bemoaned the commercialism that has overshadowed Ramadan's spiritual roots.

"It is a month of introspection, a month of mercy, patience and self-discipline," he wrote.

"Instead, what has been evident are the heavily advertised television serials ... bound to take the viewers away from their activities of faith and keep them up all night."

In other parts of the Arab world without the kingdom's massive oil wealth, financial fears meant families approached the holy month far more cautiously.

In Algeria, where past Ramadans have been marred by flurries of attacks by Islamist militants, families said they were now more worried about their pockets. Some 1.2 million disadvantaged families will get state help this year to cope with the costs of the holiday.

"Security is far from being our main concern," said Abdelalik, sitting with his wife at a seafront cafe in the resort town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, which is still regarded by the army as a high-risk zone.

"I'm mostly concerned about making it to the end of the month," he said.

In other parts of the world though, security remained a pressing issue. In Muslim-majority southern Thailand -- scene of a five-year-old insurgency that has killed 3,700 people, rebels killed three security volunteers and three civilians on the opening day of the fast.

Iraq too remained on tenterhooks after two deadly bombings in the heart of Baghdad on Wednesday ratcheted up tensions between the Shiite majority which leads the government and the disenchanted Sunni Arab former elite.

In a break with the communal rivalries of previous years since the US-led invasion of 2003, Sunnis and Shiites marked the start of the Ramadan fast on the same day this year.

But dozens demonstrated against government plans to remove concrete blast walls from Baghdad's oldest thoroughfare, Al-Rasheed Atreet.

"If they open up the road, we will be the first victims of explosions during Ramadan," said Adel Abu Mohammed, a 30-year-old street vendor.

In a new bid to improve US relations with the Islamic world marred by the war in Iraq, President Barack Obama sent a Ramadan message to Muslims promising "concrete actions" and a "new beginning."

"I know this to be a festive time," he added, alluding to his father's Muslim background.

In the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, police announced they would be giving out 35,000 free iftar meals to commuters in a bid to curb road accidents caused by drivers speeding to get home in time for the breaking of the fast, the Al-Khaleej newspaper reported.

Source-AFP
TAN