ANSAmed

(Laura De Santi) (ANSAmed) - ALGIERS, AUGUST 28 - Despite the maximum state of alert following the numerous suicide attacks carried out in the past weeks, in Algeria, just like everywhere in the Muslim world, preparations continue for the Ramadan, whose start this year will be given by the religious authorities on August 31 or September 1, at sighting of new crescent moon. The authorities, activating special measures, have brought to maximum the security alert level for the holy month, considered by Jihad fighters favourable to attack in order to guarantee themselves a place in paradise. In the 1990s, for example, armed Islamic groups always intensified their offensive but this year the alarm was raised after the bloody attacks in Kabylieh, responsibility for which has been claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. However, people are still crowding in the markets to buy the products necessary for the Ramadan before the price surge typical of this festive period becomes a fact. In fact, the wallets of Algerians remain half empty despite the record revenue from hydrocarbons which exceeded USD 40 billion in the first seven months of 2008. People do everything they can to guarantee the "iftar", the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Ramadan, for their entire, often numerous, family. Some borrow money from friends and relatives, becoming indebted for the rest of the year; others visit the big markets to seek rare offers, while still others try odd jobs. Taking advantage of the food craving, very distant from the spirit of Ramadan, "a month of deprivation and solidarity" as the Islamic texts warn, feasts with typical sweets are organised, date and products capable of satisfying all desires for food felt during the long day of fasting. The abstinence from food will be even harder this year in view of the high temperatures and the long wait for the sunset. During this month, the ninth in the Islamic calendar, based on the moon phases, during which archangel Gabriel in the "night of destiny" revealed to Mohammed the first verses of the Koran, nothing can break the fasting: neither water, nor food or smoking. Sex is banned from dawn till sunset as well as, for those more strictly observing the fasting, having injections or inserting any product in the body cavities. After the price increases alarm launched several days ago by the General Union of Algerian Tradesmen and Craftsmen (UGCAA) which demanded more controls on prices and recalled the possible running out of some agricultural product supplies, the government is trying to calm the population. "A total USD 2.5 billion have been allotted so far in 2008 to contain the prices of staples," Trade Minister, Hachemi Djaaboub, said, while the Agriculture Ministry said that 120,000 tons of potato supplies gathered during the year will be put on the market for the beginning of the Ramadan. The exact moment of the beginning can never be known in advance: on Saturday night, in the "night of doubt", the Ramadan will start once a new crescent moon is sighted; otherwise it will begin on Monday, September 1. (ANSAmed).