Cannon fire

Quiet Damascus Gate

The cannon fired 5 times at 7pm to announce the start of Ramadan. We were told that Jerusalem would celebrate Ramadan a day late because the new moon cannot be sighted. Then unexpectedly the cannon fired. So the 30 day fast has begun, It coincides with our Lent that begins on Wednesday. So there'll be less accusations of insensitivity about eating in public while others fast. That was a flashpoint of conflict several years back in our Quarter. Back then you couldn't even carry a bottle of water in your hand and walk in the streets.

Damascus Gate which for centuries had been the heart of Ramadan festivities, was very subdued. Festive lights have not been put up since Covid struck 4 years ago. Shops and hawkers were practically non-existent last night except for 2 stalls. Very few people were in the streets compared to the massive crowds that caused pedestrian jams of up to 40 mins. There's a heavy cloud of sadness and tragedy. You don't see people laughing as much as before.

Cold and rainy morning

An unexpected shower fell on us early morning at 4am. It was cold ... 4 degrees. But nobody expected a shower. It was good for the muslims as they started the fast at 4.30am, which means they go to sleep the day off. It's good for the Jews as it's Sabbat so they can sleep in as well. Only Christians were out in the streets going to work. And also lots of police. They'll be ensuring security at today's noonday prayer when thousands of muslims go to the Al Aqsa to pray and Jews go to the Wailing Wall to pray.