- Title: Nigeria's north marked Ramadan under tight security.
- Date: 22nd June 2017
- Summary: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LAWYER, ZAINAB MALA BREAKING THE DAYS FAST WITH HER FAMILY (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER, ZAINAB MALA, SAYING: "Unlike before, you can move from one house to another house without any time restriction from movement but now because of the insurgency crisis, there is time limit for everything, and even for us to go out to observe our prayers, that's Sahrawi, normally you will see a large number of people coming out for prayers but now the numbers have reduced." VARIOUS OF SECURITY PERSONNEL CHECKING CARS AT MOSQUE GATE VARIOUS OF SECURITY PERSONNEL SCANNING PEOPLE ENTERING THE MOSQUE COMPOUND SECURITY SCANNING MAN ENTERING THE MOSQUE VARIOUS OF MARKET PEOPLE WALKING INSIDE THE MARKET HAND ARRANGING TOMATOES AND PEPPERS VARIOUS OF GRAIN SELLERS SEATED AND LISTENING TO RADIO ON THEIR PHONES VARIOUS OF VEGETABLE SELLERS PRODUCE ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (Hausa) GRAIN SELLER, ALIYU MUSTAPHA, SAYING: "What is really causing the high price of goods in the market is the security. From here to Damaturu, the lorry that will transport the goods to Maiduguri will pay more than 30,000 to 40,000 naira. This is the amount of money that is collected from us. This means we have to increase the price of goods in order to meet the costs." VARIOUS OF MAN MAKING TEA / SEVERAL PLATES OF FOOD ON THE FLOOR BOYS CARRYING PLATES OF FOOD AND CUPS OF TEA
- Embargoed: 6th July 2017 16:35
- Keywords: Maiduguri nigeria boko haram insecurity ramadan fasting markets food
- Location: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA
- City: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Insurgencies
- Reuters ID: LVA0016MD0W9J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Sitting in front of their home in Nigeria's north eastern city of Maiduguri, Zainab Mala and her family end a day of fasting with a meal of rice, bean cakes and a local drink called, Kunu made from millet or sorghum.
Ramadan is a time when believers go without food and water from dawn to dusk so they can focus on prayer and building their faith. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam and is meant to encourage patience and sacrifice among followers.
In past years - before Islamist group Boko Haram started to launch attacks in the north, Mala would break the fast with friends and relatives at different locations.
But lingering insecurity means many people choose to stay in their homes.
"Unlike before, you can move from one house to another house without any time restriction from movement but now because of the insurgency crisis, there is time limit for everything, and even for us to go out to observe our prayers, that's Sahrawi, normally you will see a large number of people coming out for prayers but now the numbers have reduced," Mala says.
Despite the military's success in liberating cities and towns, much of Borno State, where Maiduguri is the capital, remains either off-limits or under tight security.
Earlier in June, insurgents launched their biggest attack on the city in 18 months, killing 14 people before government troops beat back the raid.
Maiduguri is the center of the eight-year-old fight against Boko Haram, which has been trying to set up an Islamic caliphate in the northeast.
The threat of Boko Haram group is a part of life here.
While Ramadan comes with busy markets and increased spending as families enjoy elaborate evening meals after the long day of fasting, traders say sales are low and prices have had to go up.
Transporters raised their fees because they have to pay for security escorts.
"What is really causing the high price of goods in the market is the security. From here to Damaturu, the lorry that will transport the goods to Maiduguri will pay more than 30,000 to 40,000 naira. This is the amount of money that is collected from us. This means we have to increase the price of goods in order to meet the costs," said grain seller, Aliyu Mustapha.
The insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people and forced some 2.7 million people to flee their homes since 2009.
Ramadan will end on June 24 or 25 - a day usually marked by celebration around the Muslim world and referred to as Eid al-Fitr. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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