Palestinians in Gaza are looking forward to Ramadan festivities after last year’s celebrations were blighted by the pandemic and the outbreak of war.
“The people of Gaza last year missed out on the enjoyment of Ramadan and Eid, so they’re trying to compensate this year and enjoy the preparations,” said Osama Al Helu, a shopkeeper in the bustling Zawya market.
The 28-year-old is busy piling dried fruit on to a tray, as bags of mixed spices hang above his head.
“This Ramadan season is better,” he said. “Last year there was coronavirus and war.”
A rise in infections last spring prompted the authorities to impose a series of measures during the Muslim holy month, including a curfew and restrictions on gatherings.
As the end of Ramadan neared, a conflict between Gaza militants and Israel erupted.
The scars wrought by the 11-day war are still visible in the Palestinian enclave, with empty spaces standing where buildings were hit by bombs.
But in recent days, Gaza city has been decked out in brightly coloured decorations in anticipation of Ramadan.
“This year you feel like life has come back to the streets,” said Arej Al Aousi, 21, visiting the historic market from her home in the southern city of Rafah.
“You feel happy once you see the lights and decorations everywhere,” the student said.
In the market, shoppers crowd around stalls covered in sweets while a hawker waves packs of festive bunting.
Customers peruse lights and lamps sold on the street, at stands and shops.
At one store in central Gaza city, Nada Abu Sada clutched a candle as she picked out decorations.
“The preparations for Ramadan this year are better than last year,” said Ms Abu Sada, 21, adding that she hoped the holy month would pass peacefully.
“I’m so excited and can’t wait to go and pray Taraweeh [evening prayer] at the mosque; last year we couldn’t because of coronavirus,” she said.
Standing in front of a wall of flashing lights, shop assistant Jihad Ahmed said customers have been gearing up for Ramadan for a month.
“There’s a huge market for Ramadan decorations this year,” he said. “Last year people didn’t have the enthusiasm or willingness to prepare for Ramadan.”
Beyond the shop floor, the 24-year-old was looking forward to the return of the customary gatherings over the next few weeks.
“This year we’ll get the chance to get together and hang out, not like last year when there were closures because of coronavirus,” said Mr Ahmed.
While some Gazans wear face masks as they go about their shopping, the authorities have not announced coronavirus restrictions this Ramadan.
In Zawya market, Ms Al Aousi takes in the crowds during her first visit to the area.
“I’m so happy to have come here and I’m enjoying the atmosphere,” she said.
“I will keep coming each year, because this makes me really feel the spirit of Ramadan.”
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
Fixtures
Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am
Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am
Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am
Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
Barbie
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Greta%20Gerwig%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Ryan%20Gosling%2C%20Will%20Ferrell%2C%20America%20Ferrera%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The years Ramadan fell in May
Result
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
