MOSABJA
Junior Member
By Farooq A Ganai, IOL Correspondent
SRINAGAR — With tightened curfews and a shortage of essential commodities because of a Hindu economic blockade, Muslims in India-ruled Kashmir are bracing for hard times during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We have been waiting for the holy month of Ramadan like previous years," Reyaz Ahmad, from north Kashmir, told IslamOnline.net.
"But due to the present prevailing circumstances and curfew restrictions, it seems this year it would be very difficult to perform."
Indian authorities have slapped a tight curfew since Sunday, August 24, to block pro-independence demonstrations by the Muslim majority.
It was lifted briefly for four hours on Saturday, August 30, to allow Kashmiris to stock up for the holy fasting month before being re-imposed.
The curfew has prevented the publication of regional newspapers over the past week and those coming from New Delhi have not been distributed.
Local television executives and editors have also been ordered to suspend news programs and broadcast only entertainment.
Arif Hussain, from Srinagar city, complained that Kashmiri Muslims are under virtual house arrest.
"We hope this holy month of Ramadan will bring peace and freedom for us."
Kashmiri Muslims sights on Monday, September 1, the new crescent of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
SIEGE
Kashmiri Muslims are suffering from a shortage of essential commodities over a Hindu economic blockade imposed on the Muslim-majority region.
"When the whole Muslim world is enthusiastic about the holy month of Ramadan, we, the Muslims of Indian-held Kashmir, are facing problems in absence of essential commodities," a local imam in Kupwara told IOL.
"We even are unable to perform special prayers during these day."
Muslim worshippers were prevented by police from performing the Friday prayer last week.
Most mosques in the region remained closed as people were forced to remain indoors.
Many Kashmiris still don't find food to buy for Ramadan.
Stores in Srinagar, home to one million Muslim, are already running out of supplies.
Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
SRINAGAR — With tightened curfews and a shortage of essential commodities because of a Hindu economic blockade, Muslims in India-ruled Kashmir are bracing for hard times during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We have been waiting for the holy month of Ramadan like previous years," Reyaz Ahmad, from north Kashmir, told IslamOnline.net.
"But due to the present prevailing circumstances and curfew restrictions, it seems this year it would be very difficult to perform."
Indian authorities have slapped a tight curfew since Sunday, August 24, to block pro-independence demonstrations by the Muslim majority.
It was lifted briefly for four hours on Saturday, August 30, to allow Kashmiris to stock up for the holy fasting month before being re-imposed.
The curfew has prevented the publication of regional newspapers over the past week and those coming from New Delhi have not been distributed.
Local television executives and editors have also been ordered to suspend news programs and broadcast only entertainment.
Arif Hussain, from Srinagar city, complained that Kashmiri Muslims are under virtual house arrest.
"We hope this holy month of Ramadan will bring peace and freedom for us."
Kashmiri Muslims sights on Monday, September 1, the new crescent of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
SIEGE
Kashmiri Muslims are suffering from a shortage of essential commodities over a Hindu economic blockade imposed on the Muslim-majority region.
"When the whole Muslim world is enthusiastic about the holy month of Ramadan, we, the Muslims of Indian-held Kashmir, are facing problems in absence of essential commodities," a local imam in Kupwara told IOL.
"We even are unable to perform special prayers during these day."
Muslim worshippers were prevented by police from performing the Friday prayer last week.
Most mosques in the region remained closed as people were forced to remain indoors.
Many Kashmiris still don't find food to buy for Ramadan.
Stores in Srinagar, home to one million Muslim, are already running out of supplies.
Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
