|
On the side of the wagon was the message –
"Stay at home in your house. Ramadan deserves it."
Fear of the coronavirus has dampened the mood of the holy month
in Jerusalem, as elsewhere, forcing Muslims to rethink
traditions and find new approaches to religious and social
rituals.
Amid movement restrictions, partial lockdowns and the suspension
of public prayers at mosques - including Al-Aqsa Mosque and the
Dome of the Rock - Al-Baha youth group realised there was little
chance of audiences returning soon to their social and cultural
shows.
So this year, each night after iftar, they hitch a car to a
festively lit wagon topped by a Ramadan Fanoos (lantern) and
drive around the streets of East Jerusalem neighbourhoods such
as Sheikh Jarrah, with musicians playing and singing Ramadan
songs beneath street decorations.
"To be with the people and deliver happiness to them is a joy
for me," said Wael Abu Saloum, 40, a musician and artist.
Some of the audience wore masks. Most stayed near their gates,
but children ran alongside the float and families followed in
cars as the procession snaked through back streets.
"It's so beautiful what they are doing," said Abed al-Karaki,
29, in Beit Hanina neighbourhood. "For two months all the boys
and girls have had to stay at home since what happened with
coronavirus."
(Reporting by Nuha Sharaf and Stephen Farrell; Editing by Janet
Lawrence)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
