Middle East Experience

More women are reporting abuse and domestic violence in Lebanon as the country's citizens remain stuck at home to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Domestic violence in Lebanon spikes under lockdown

As the coronavirus closes universities and whittles the job market, many Israelis living abroad are now flying home and many more are considering it.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Emigrants abandon life abroad, flock home to Israel

The curfew that was imposed in the United Arab Emirates from the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. will now begin from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported, citing the Ministry of Health.However, the statement did not state whether Dubai, where a strict 24-hour curfew has been imposed, will also loosen curfew hours.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Supermarkets, food outlets, grocery stores, and pharmacies will be allowed to operate 24 hours a day, according to the statement.Meanwhile, meat, fruit, and vegetable markets, as well as butcheries, bakeries, coffee and tea mills, and dessert shops will be allowed to open from the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., WAM reported.The stores will be required to adhere to the health ministry’s precautionary measures when they open, which includes ensuring the percentage of shoppers in one given store or grocery does not exceed a 30 percent capacity, the statement added.Additionally, customers must maintain a two-meter distance between one another.Stores will have to follow additional guidelines for stage one of reopening published by each city’s Department of Economic Development.Also read: Coronavirus: Dubai outlines guidelines for malls reopening, including children banThe ministry urged citizens and residents to comply with the protocols to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.The UAE has so far reported 8,756 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 56 virus-related fatalities.The health ministry has been ramping up its testing measures across the country in an effort to contain the virus and detect infections early.Almost one million people have been tested across the emirates so far, and the Ministry of Health has announced plans to test all residents and citizens.The UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi and tourist-hotspot Dubai could ease restrictions and begin opening up malls and other facilities soon.Dubai’s Department of Economic Development issued new Ramadan guidelines that will allow residents to leave the house to visit family or perform one activity per day. However, when the new rules will go into effect has yet to be announced.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE shortens curfew hours during Ramadan

The Ramadan crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, meaning the holy month will officially begin on Friday, according to an official announcement from the Kingdom’s Supreme Court.The sighting of the moon was confirmed by a team of astronomy observers in Saudi Arabia’s Hautat Sudair, a small village located at an intersection between Riyadh, Sudair, and Qassim, 140 km north of the capital Riyadh.Muslims follow a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. Sighting a crescent moon heralds the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the month, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having marital relations from dawn until sunset. They also try to avoid evil thoughts and deeds.Read more: Ramadan under lockdown - How coronavirus is affecting Muslims country-by-country guideFasting during the month of Ramadan is also one of the five pillars of Islam. It is followed by the Eid al-Fitr holiday.As Muslims follow a lunar calendar, Eid al-Fitr starts when the new moon is spotted in the sky at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.Ramadan is sacred to Muslims because tradition says the Quran was revealed to their Prophet Mohammed during that month. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is also one of the five pillars of Islam.This year’s Ramadan is markedly different as many Muslims will not be able to experience the communal traditions of Ramadan due to the restrictions on movement and social gathering imposed in Islamic and Muslim-majority countries across the world following the coronavirus pandemic.While Muslims are still expected to fast between sunrise and sunset, religious authorities in key Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia and the UAE have ordered that prayers be done at home to prevent the virus from spreading via communal gatherings in mosques.Read more:Coronavirus: Egypt implements nighttime curfew for RamadanTajikistan leader says Muslims should not fast in Ramadan to prevent coronavirusCoronavirus: Dubai to allow Ramadan family gatherings, exercise outdoors
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Ramadan moon sighted in Saudi Arabia, holy month amid coronavirus begins on Friday

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Thursday it would boost by 3 billion euros a support package to help stricken companies and councils mitigate the economic hit from the coronavirus..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: EBRD adds 3 billion euros to coronavirus support package

Stores and shopping centres in Egypt are allowed to re-open for Ramadan, setting the scene for the gradual lifting of the lockdown by the end of the holy month..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Egypt to re-open shopping centres for Ramadan despite an expected alarming hike in coronavirus cases

Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will start Ramadan on Thursday evening, while Iran and Oman have announced Ramadan for Friday evening..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Friday or Saturday? Muslim world split over when Ramadan fasting begins

The Israeli unity government deal stipulates annexation plans will begin in July..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: EU warns incoming Israeli government against West Bank annexation

Head of project ‘Protect our Fathers and Mothers’ says nursing homes face acute budget, staffing challenges due to coronavirus.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Minister Gamliel unveils exit strategy for Israel’s senior citizens

“I know for a fact that this shul was ordered to be closed and the main door was locked.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus is the newest obstacle for haredi whistleblowers