- Title: MIDDLE EAST: Christians and Muslims in Nablus unite for Ramadan iftar campaign
- Date: 29th July 2013
- Summary: NABLUS, WEST BANK (JULY 25, 2013) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS PREPARING DATES TO DISTRIBUTE TO DRIVERS VOLUNTEER STOPPING CAR TO DISTRIBUTE DATES AND WATER TAXI DRIVER TAKING DATES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VOLUNTEER IN A GROUP THAT DISTRIBUTES DATES AND WATER TO DRIVERS, HASSAN KAMHIYA, SAYING: "We are doing this 'Dates and Water' campaign. It's a campaign for t
- Embargoed: 13th August 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jerusalem, West bank
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: General,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA34GG85QI1DL8BA9FJ5I6T647E
- Story Text: As the time for sunset approaches in the West Bank city of Nablus, young men can be seen meandering between vehicles offering the drivers something to eat and drink.
The young men are volunteers taking part in a speed awareness campaign in the area.
They say during the time of maghreb, when many muslims break their day long fast, more vehicles increase their speed to get to their destination on time to eat and pray.
But these volunteers aren't only Muslims, they come from different faiths and hand out dates and water to drivers as they pass by.
Hassan Kamhiya is one of the volunteers.
"We are doing this 'Dates and Water' campaign. It's a campaign for those who are fasting, during the time of the adhan (call to prayer). We go to streets in the city. The campaign is a private one, and what makes it unique is that there are Christians, Samaritans and Muslims,'' he said.
"At the time of adhan all the cars start to drive faster, so that they can make it (iftar) and we try to get the cars to slow down and reduce their speed. We say to them 'slow down' and give them a glass of water and some dates, they accept that in a positive manner and a lot of people like this idea. So, thank God, our message has been delivered,'' he added, as others signalled to their fellow volunteers to give water to the drivers.
Around 20 young people are involved in the campaign which is funded by individuals who pay for the water and dates, the traditional sweet fruit that many muslims break their fast on.
On Thursday evening (July 25) Muslims and Christians came together to share an iftar meal in Jerusalem's Old City.
Those attending the meal, which is held every year, say it unites Palestinians in their national struggle.
"It is a yearly tradition, we are the residents of the Old city, Christians and Muslims, to show that we have ties, and that as Palestinians here in the Old City we suffer together and we celebrate together,'' added Muslim resident, Naser Kuos.
"This is the least that we can do, to meet together and have an iftar meal together and during Christmas, we mustn't forget that they also invite us, and we go out and we sit together, and have dinner together,'' said Basim Saed, head of the Christian Organisation in Jerusalem's Old City.
As the sun set, guests from both faiths tucked into a lavish spread, which included traditional food like falafel.
Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days, and culminates in the Eid al-Fitr celebration which is expected to fall on August 8 or 9. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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