Mecca Is Quiet On The First Day Of Ramadan

Over Mecca, on the first morning of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/KH5TX7yAs0

— Mike (@Doranimated) April 24, 2020

WNU Editor: This is probably the first time in history that the streets of Mecca are deserted on the first day of Ramadan.

U.S. Troops Face Ramadan Restrictions Such As Eating And Drinking In The Middle East

Weekly Standard: U.S. Troops Face Eating, Drinking Restrictions During Ramadan

A top commander in southwest Asia reminded U.S military personnel stationed in Muslim countries in the Middle East of the restrictions placed on them during Ramadan. According to a report by the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs, Brig. Gen. John Quintas, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing commander in Southwest Asia, said that the U.S. is "committed to the concepts of tolerance, freedom and diversity." But he added that soldiers should "become more informed and appreciative of the traditions and history of the people in this region of the world... [R]emember we are guests here and that the host nation is our shoulder-to-shoulder, brothers and sisters in arms, risking their lives for our common cause to defeat terrorism."

WNU Editor: Where is the ACLU when you need them .... especially in this case where the evidence is more than abundant that a certain religious code of conduct is being imposed on U.S. soldiers.

American Troops Serving In Muslim Countries Told To Observe Ramadan Rules In Public

This attire guidance for U.S. personnel in Bahrain during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan was posted to the Navy's 5th Fleet Facebook page recently. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunup to sundown. U.S. community members in Bahrain need to observe stricter dress codes during Ramadan, as well as refrain from eating and drinking in public, according to 5th Fleet. Courtesy of U.S. Navy

Troops In Mideast Given Guidance On Ramadan -- Stars And Stripes

NAPLES, Italy — As Muslims prepare to observe the holy month of Ramadan with fasting and prayer, U.S. troops across the Middle East are being reminded to respect the customs of the societies around them. Among the guidelines: Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during the daily fast, and dress appropriately: no shorts or short skirts.

During Ramadan, which this year begins Aug. 1, Muslims refrain from eating or drinking between sunup and sundown.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am sure the smokers/drinkers/gum chewers/and eaters outside the wire are not happy with these regs.

For Most Muslims Ramadan Starts This Monday

Saudi, Most Gulf States To Start Ramadan On Monday -- Reuters

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, will start the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on Monday along with most other Gulf states, regional media said on Saturday.

Reports from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said the new moon had not been sighted after sunset on Saturday, indicating that Sunday would be regarded as the last day of the Muslim lunar month preceding Ramadan.

In nearby Yemen, Ramadan will also start on Monday.

Read more ....

My Comment: The AFP says it best for governments facing today's popular uprisings ..... "Throughout history, Ramadan has been the month of revolutions and victory".

Indeed.

Obama's Special Ramadan Message To Muslim World

From The L.A. Times:

Ramadan, as everyone knows, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a time to practice patience and modesty, pray extra and refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn until sunset.

Today, President Obama, the son of a Muslim, who's going on vacation, issued a special Ramadan message to the Muslim world. Before leaving, the Democrat also issued one of those public relations presidential proclamations marking a special occasion of some sort, in this case the 50th anniversary of Hawaii joining the United States ohana, which, the president who grew up there says, means family.

Read more ....

My Comment: As a message, this is a good one. But is anyone listening?

Pakistan Suspends Military Operations In Its Frontier Regions

Supporters of Jamiat Ulama Islam (JUI) attend a protest rally against operation in the tribal area at the Pakistan-Afghan border town of Chaman, August 29, 2008. (Saeed Ali Achakzai/Reuters)

Pakistan Halts Fighting For Ramadan -- Al Jazeera

Pakistan has announced a suspension of military operations against fighters in the tribal regions during the month of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.

But a senior official said on Saturday that security forces would respond if attacked.

Rehman Malik, an interior ministry official, said that security forces would suspend operations from Sunday night for the month of Ramadan, which ends at the beginning of October.

Read more ....

More News On Pakistan's Suspension Of Military Operations

Pakistan to suspend military strikes for Ramadan -- Yahoo News/AP
Pakistan halts military operations in northwest -- Yahoo News/AFP
Pakistan suspends offensive for Ramadan -- CNN
Pakistani Government Suspends Military Operations for Ramadan -- Voice Of America

My Comments: This gives the Taliban and their allies to regroup and to plan for the next offensive. This suspension of military operations because of religious reasons will only create more conflict and suffering next month.