Iraq on Monday announced a partial lockdown during Ramadan to prevent gatherings amid a new wave of coronavirus infections.
People will not be allowed to move freely between 8pm and 5am and there will be full lockdown on Fridays and Saturdays, the Higher Committee for Health and Public Safety said.
Pharmacies, bakeries, supermarkets and groceries are exempted from the full lockdown, while restaurants will be allowed to make food deliveries. Working hours at government offices will be shortened by a hour, and pupils of some classes can return to schools, it said.
The holy month will begin on Tuesday for Iraq's Sunni minority, and from Wednesday for Shiites. The difference is because each sect follows a different moon-sighting technique.
The Health Ministry reported 7,953 new cases on Monday and 44 deaths. The country registered 8,331 cases last Wednesday, the highest number of daily infections since the outbreak began.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the world who abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex from daybreak to dusk. They offer extra prayers, read the Quran, show charity to the poor and cement friendships and family ties.
Usually, there is a festive atmosphere after sunset, with families and friends visiting each other or gathering at street cafes, playing traditional games like backgammon and cards or smoking shisha.
Houses across Baghdad have been decorated with traditional Ramadan lanterns, known as fanous in Arabic, and crescent moon lights. Some had posters on their doors that read: “Welcome Ramadan.”
Workers at supermarkets and sweets shops were busy stacking shelves with wide range of products favoured during Ramadan, but there were not many customers.
"In previous years, we couldn't cope with the demand and the influx of shoppers before and during Ramadan," supermarket owner Karim Mohammed, 55, told The National.
“The soaring prices of mainly food are discouraging Ramadan shoppers from stocking food for days or for the whole month,” he said as he stood amid piles of bags of pasta, rise and dairy products.
Iraq’s economy has suffered a double shock from falling oil prices and the coronavirus outbreak since last year.
Lack of funds forced the government to devalue its currency by about 23 per cent against the US dollar in December, pushing up the price of goods by up to 50 per cent as the country heavily depends on imports.
In a bid to encourage local manufacturers, the government imposed restrictions on importing some items, contributing to the increase in the prices as local supply is either not enough to meet the demand or dependent on imported raw materials.
“The government has devalued the currency and prevented the imports without any realistic calculations on the market,” Mr Mohammed said, and added that his revenues has dropped by at least 30 per cent.
The breaking of the fast usually means a variety of delicacies specially prepared for the occasion. But this year the soaring prices of food mean that many Iraqis will find it difficult to celebrate in their usual style.
Baghdad resident Riyadh Salman, who is working as a taxi driver in his retirement, considers himself lucky to be able to stock enough food for one week.
“Goods prices are on fire,” Mr Salman, 61, said as he picked up a box of bottled water from a supermarket.
“Of course, this situation has impacted us unlike previous Ramadans, when poor and middle-class could afford food on the table,” Mr Salman said.
He will distribute Ramadan packages to six families in his neighbourhood, each containing lentils, chickpeas, rice, cooking oil and a can of tomato paste.
Since Sunday, Iraqis have been sending congratulatory messages as well as calling for not sharing pictures on social media of food that many families cannot afford.
During a live radio show, a woman burst out in anger.
“We can’t buy lamb meat and chicken this Ramadan, along with other items,” said the woman, who gave her name as Hiyam.
Ahmed Najeeb, 33, said that despite the hardships Iraqis needed to count on God and look forward.
“Yes, life is not easy one here. But we have to carry on and pray for better life and future,” he said.
“One good thing this Ramadan is the Iraqi Ramadan drama that we are going to see, unlike last year,” he laughed, standing near a big poster for one of the episodes.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESofia%20Boutella%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Michiel%20Huisman%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
MATCH INFO
Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)
Delhi won the match by 11 runs
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
