BAGHDAD, October 31 (IslamOnline.net) – Iraqi mosques used to host collective iftar banquets in a show of solidarity among fellow Muslims during the holy fasting month of Ramadan but under the US-led occupation of the oil-rich Arab country this is no more possible.

Many Iraqis have steered clear of iftar banquets, which bring together a quite large number of people to break the fast together, fearing indiscriminate US bombardment and trigger-happy American soldiers, especially in flashpoint areas.

"Collective iftar banquets in mosques were one of Ramadan main features in the country," Ihsan Abbas told IslamOnline.net Saturday, October 30.

"However, such banquets have become risky under the occupation and the insecurity grabbling the country."

Iraqis now prefer to have iftar at home lest they get caught in the shootout between resistance fighters and the occupation troops, Abbas noted.

A US air strike killed at least 12 people on Friday, October 8, in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, with a wedding party bearing the brunt of the attack.

Video images aired on Monday, May 24, showed a decorated wedding vehicle and Arab guests arriving for the celebrations followed by scenes of death and destruction after an American helicopter fired its missiles at the gathering killing 40 people.

Vanishing

Abul Dardaa, a Fallujah inhabitant, also regretted the disappearance of the Ramadan gatherings.

"Iftar banquets have completely vanished in the city over incessant American bombings."

He recalled, as a case in point, the American bombardment of Al-Rawi mosque in central Fallujah at the beginning of the dawn-to-dusk fasting month.

Dardaa said more than 70% of Fallujah residents have fled their homes amid spiraling fears of an imminent US onslaught.

"I no longer feel the joy of Ramadan with my family living in Al-Ana area (350km west of Baghdad) while I’m staying in Baghdad," Dardaa said.

Recalling happy memories, he noted how he used to bring dates and soup to the mosque in his neighborhood to participate in the collective iftar banquet which caters for more than 100 Iraqis.

Mosques across the city of 300,000 people have been unusually deserted in the holy month.

Fallujah has been suffering almost daily American blitz since the fall of the country in April of last year.

In April, at least 700 Iraqis, mostly women and children, were killed and 1,500 others injured when the US occupation forces imposed a tight siege on the town and intensified air strikes on its densely-populated areas.

On September 18, Amnesty International blasted the US for its barbaric raids on Fallujah

Quiet Areas

The iftar banquets, however, could still be seen in other quiet Iraqi areas such as Baghdad’s Al-Yarmok district.

"We host collective iftar banquets for more than 100 worshipers during Ramadan," said Sheikh Abdul Kareem Al-Tikrit, a mosque imam.

He added rich Iraqis in the neighborhood bring different kinds of delicious food to the banquets.

"We are keen to hold the iftar banquets because our district is a relatively calm area and is not a scene of clashes with the occupation forces," noted Sheikh Al-Tikrit.

Iraqis bring to the iftar banquets soup, milk, dates, rice and other kinds of food.

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