This year, the people of Al-Bayda governorate did not have a high demand for shops, as was usual with the advent of the month of Ramadan. The ongoing war in the country for eight years has significantly contributed to undermining the people's purchasing power.
Akram Al-Naqeeb, a 30-year-old resident of Al-Bayda, tells Khuyut: "Ten years ago, there was no clear difference between the poor people and the rich people in the city, at least in Ramadan, because everyone used to buy the needs of the month at a similar level."
Al-Naqeeb adds that the citizen’s deficit in Al-Bayda appeared more this year than the previous ones, as this was reflected in the familiar rituals and traditions of receiving Ramadan, not only in the hearts of children but also in adults, whereas the preparation and willingness to receive the holy month decreased, compared to what it was ten years ago, when the country was without war.
Adherences to Social Solidarity
People distribute food dishes among themselves, as part of a familiar tradition of the community in the city of Al-Bayda. This is because the prevailing custom in the regions of this governorate considers it shameful if your neighbor smells your food without tasting it.
Muhammad al-Muflihi, a resident of Al-Bayda city, tells Khuyut: “Despite the difficult situation for everyone, there are still those who take the initiative to invite workers and passers-by in the streets of the city to their iftar table, as an act by which the people of the city want goodness and blessing, and as an obligation they don’t deviate from it.”
“The Sufi rites make Ramadan a distinctive month, where problems and disagreements stop and the values of love, familiarity, and tolerance spread.”
In the same context, the residents of the city of Rada'a celebrate the first night of the month of Ramadan by lighting bonfires on the roofs of houses and burning damaged car tires as an expression of joy at the advent of the holy month—children and youth.
Social activist, Jameela Abdullah, explains to "Khuyut" that adult men go to mosques to perform prayers and praises, while women prepare special types of cereal to make dishes that are unique to the city of Rada'a, including "Harish," which is similar to "Porridge."
Further, Abdullah notes that the city's residents are affected by the deteriorating living conditions. Therefore, it is no longer possible for everyone to purchase the food requirements of the month of Ramadan, but she affirms everyone's adherence to the principles of solidarity and compassion by exchanging dishes of food between families and giving Iftar (feeding) to those who are fasting, especially those who are from outside the city, and inviting them to their homes.
Revival of Rituals
Ali Al-Hadi (43 years old) describes the reception of Ramadan in the district center, Al-Bayda governorate, as he tells "Khuyut": "People greet the first night of Ramadan with thikr sessions, melodic praises, and reading the Qur'an," as this citizen believes that the Sufi rituals make Ramadan a distinctive month, where problems and disagreements stop and the love, familiarity, and tolerance values spread.
However, the deteriorating material conditions were negatively reflected on the rituals of receiving Ramadan throughout Al-Bayda governorate, where Salah Abdullah Al-Haqeb, a social researcher, said in his interview with "Khuyut": "The lack of resources, along with the increase in need without satisfying it, creates an almost complete change in human values.” Accordingly, the people of Al-Bayda do not deviate from this context, as it is noticed that there is a decrease in holding the competitions, evening parties, and celebrations of Ramadan due to the constant search for providing the needs of the month, which coincides with the deterioration of living conditions.
Likewise, in the district of Walad Rabie of Al-Bayda governorate, people launch luminous fireworks into the air as an expression of joy at the advent of the month of Ramadan. They also set and determine every evening the meeting places for the evening parties and competitions of Ramadan, which is a ritual that is almost present in most of the districts of Al-Bayda, according to Huthaifa Al-Wari, a resident of Rada'a city.
