Feast after fast

Eid al Fitr today

After 7pm last night when we thought the new moon was not visible because of cloudy skies, the cannon fired 7 times announcing the end of Ramadan. There were shouts of joy and women ululating, people clapping and crowds chanting. We managed to pass 30 days without incident ... other than the several days of missiles fired from Yemen. Thank God for the relative calm despite the large crowds and occasional upset over police stringent stop-and-check.  

Police presence was visibly stepped up; but so has many muslim pilgrims from Britain, Sweden, Indonesia and even Singapore. Temporary stalls and hawkers were allowed to trade without a permit. And they made good business, which is a plus since we've been facing bad financial times the past 4 years.

The weather has also been good. From the sudden chill that dropped temps down to 6 degrees with heavy drizzle for some 10 hours throughout the night and morning, it became warm again in the evening at 26 degrees. This morning as waves of people entered the Old City to pray in the mosque, the cloudy skies did not dampen the festive spirit. It was warm ... 10 degrees. Some people were already in T-shirts.

Meantime we Christians continue our fast for another 2 weeks. This year the Orthodox and Latin calendars coincide so we celebrate Easter and Holy Week together. And the Jewish Passover also coincides with our Easter Sunday.