Headlines, Human Rights, Middle East & North Africa, Religion

LEBANON: Rich Feast Through Month of Fasting

Mona Alami

BEIRUT, Sep 2 2010 (IPS) - Although not a celebration in the traditional sense, Ramadan in Lebanon is a time of joy for many, during which families reconnect and share their wealth with the poor. But in this country of extremes, not everyone has the luxury of celebrating the holy month.

During Ramadan, eateries and supermarkets are incredibly busy. Food sales in the country increase by 20 percent — while in the Gulf region overall it goes up by about 50 percent. Beirut hotels bustle with activity, organising iftar meals (dinners to observe the breaking of fast) with prices that range from 30 dollars to 80 dollars.

“Prices generally depend on what a client requests. In addition to a traditional iftar meal, they may also want a special food station that, for example, serves shawarma (meat sandwiches) or falafel (fried chickpea patties),” says Saadedine Zeidan, general manager at Socrate, one of Lebanon’s most prominent caterers.

The company serves as many as 1,000 meals per day during the holy month, with average sales nearly doubling over the period.

According to one restaurant owner, who did not wish to be named, clients include politicians, who regularly host iftar parties for hundreds of guests, most of them being other politicians or senior government officials.

While this segment of society is able to afford such lavish meals throughout the month, they are in the minority.

“Many wealthy people view Ramadan as another occasion to throw extravagant parties and buy the most expensive foods,” says religious cleric Sheikh Mohammad Nokari, a member of the Sunni Sharia court.

Mohammad Arab is not one of the fortunate few. He lives on a Hamra Street corner, not far from the American University Medical Centre in Beirut. “I have been living on the sidewalk for a few months after a disagreement with my daughter. I do not celebrate festivals, whether New Year’s Day or Eid el-Fitr (a three-day holiday that commemorates the end of Ramadan),” he says with a shrug.

Arab is not alone. Yasmine, a nine-year-old girl, also spends her days on Hamra Street, running up to passers-by in the popular shopping area, begging for food or money. “Help me!” she calls out. “Can you please spare a few liras (Lebanon’s national currency)? Or can you buy me a sandwich.”

According to a 2009 issue of This Week Lebanon, a weekly publication by Byblos Bank, a study published by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the UNDP indicates that about 28 percent of the Lebanese population qualifies as poor, while eight percent live under conditions of extreme poverty.

“This means that 300,000 individuals are unable to meet their basic and non- basic food needs,” the report explains.

The publication adds that the bulk of the poverty-stricken are concentrated in the cities of Tripoli, Akkar and Minieh-Denieh as well as the southern towns of Jezzine and Saida, and the western Baalbeck and Hermel areas. These regions are home to two-thirds of the extremely poor, who constitute 50 percent of the total poor population.

Although unable to enjoy Ramadan like the wealthy, the holy month does offer some advantages to the less fortunate. Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious tax earmarked for the poor, and many wealthier Muslims contribute more during Ramadan.

“For me, Ramadan is a gift from God,” explains Oum Ragheb, a beggar who has become a regular in the Hamra area. On average, this mother of seven estimates she earns 300 dollars to 400 dollars a month, but during Ramadan, that figure rises to 1,200 dollars.

“People are more generous with their Zakat during Ramadan,” she adds with a smile as an old woman hands her 5,000 Lebanese pounds (about three dollars).

Arab also seems to benefit from the holy month. He says he eats more often during Ramadan, as residents of surrounding buildings take pity on him. “They often provide me with a warm meal a few minutes before sunset (when the fast is broken),” he says.

With such a large poor population, Ramadan is a particularly busy month for charitable organisations, with many NGOs preparing iftars for the impoverished as well as rich donors.

“We extend our help to the poor by relying on special teams of social workers, who travel to the most far-flung areas of the country,” says Badia Hamad, public relations manager at the Islamic Social Welfare Institution. “We raise about two-thirds of our yearly budget during Ramadan,” she admits.

Cleric Sheikh Nokari explains that despite some excesses, most of the wealthier Muslims do extend a helping hand to impoverished families.

Nonetheless, Mohammad Barakat, head of the Islamic Welfare Institution, admits that it can sometimes be difficult to reach out to everyone. “Some of the children begging in the streets are employed by specialised gangs. We do our best, however, to help as many as possible.”

 
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