Writing by Faris al-Rifai; Translation by Rana Abdul
(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Syrian refugees wait impatiently for Ramadan to come close to God who became their only refuge after all the world has given up on them. The Syrians in Malatya camp southwest of Turkey are satisfied with the rewards of the holy month whereas the ones who are better off monopolize the month’s joys.
The Ramadan rituals inside the camp are not different from the rituals used to be flourish in Syria before the war where people go more to the prayers in the mosque men, women and children. They spend their days praying, reading the Holy Quran and reciting the Quran.
The biggest difficulty for the residents in Malatya camp is the high temperature in these days. Most of them live in caravans made of iron which attracts heat despite that the area where the camp is known for its extreme heat in summer and extremely cold in winter, according to activist Basel al-Tilawi.
He added that the tents lack any devices to decrease the heat except for small fans that do not do much.
Malatya camp situated on the outskirts of Malatya city is called Mabek and hosts 8000 people.
According to al-Tilawi, the camp is divided into blocks and each block includes 350 caravans. The camp includes two mosques, a small medical center, and a very crowded supermarket in Ramadan.
Most of the camp residents are from countryside of Hama and Homs (Burj Kaa’e, al-Smaleel, Talaf, al-Houleh, Aqrab, Bab Amro, al-Waer) in addition to families form Idlib and Aleppo country sides. That’s why the rituals of Ramadan are similar. Some of the residents stay awake for Suhour whereas others sleep to wake up for Suhour. The persons who wake up people for Suhour also do it like they used to do it in Syria, al-Tilawi explained.
Al-Tilawi pointed out the camp does not have a relief body to help refugees in Ramadan except for some individual donations from Turkish citizens who offer food. Hence, it is difficult for families to secure basic food items like meat, chicken and juice due to the high prices.
Umm Qasem, a refugee from Idlib countryside, said, “This year Ramadan is like the previous Ramadan, there will be no meat nor vegetables. We cannot buy cold drinks for Iftar as it is expensive. The prices are not convenient for the poor who do not have income. This month seems to be only for the better off.”
Remembering Ramadan rituals back in Syria, she adds, “we used to gather around one table and invite each other for Iftar and we used to exchange gifts to celebrate the coming of Ramadan the most spiritual month. But now, we are scattered in camps we have no power but to ask to look for us and offer food aid for children at least.”
(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Syrian refugees wait impatiently for Ramadan to come close to God who became their only refuge after all the world has given up on them. The Syrians in Malatya camp southwest of Turkey are satisfied with the rewards of the holy month whereas the ones who are better off monopolize the month’s joys.
The Ramadan rituals inside the camp are not different from the rituals used to be flourish in Syria before the war where people go more to the prayers in the mosque men, women and children. They spend their days praying, reading the Holy Quran and reciting the Quran.
The biggest difficulty for the residents in Malatya camp is the high temperature in these days. Most of them live in caravans made of iron which attracts heat despite that the area where the camp is known for its extreme heat in summer and extremely cold in winter, according to activist Basel al-Tilawi.
He added that the tents lack any devices to decrease the heat except for small fans that do not do much.
Malatya camp situated on the outskirts of Malatya city is called Mabek and hosts 8000 people.
According to al-Tilawi, the camp is divided into blocks and each block includes 350 caravans. The camp includes two mosques, a small medical center, and a very crowded supermarket in Ramadan.
Most of the camp residents are from countryside of Hama and Homs (Burj Kaa’e, al-Smaleel, Talaf, al-Houleh, Aqrab, Bab Amro, al-Waer) in addition to families form Idlib and Aleppo country sides. That’s why the rituals of Ramadan are similar. Some of the residents stay awake for Suhour whereas others sleep to wake up for Suhour. The persons who wake up people for Suhour also do it like they used to do it in Syria, al-Tilawi explained.
Al-Tilawi pointed out the camp does not have a relief body to help refugees in Ramadan except for some individual donations from Turkish citizens who offer food. Hence, it is difficult for families to secure basic food items like meat, chicken and juice due to the high prices.
Umm Qasem, a refugee from Idlib countryside, said, “This year Ramadan is like the previous Ramadan, there will be no meat nor vegetables. We cannot buy cold drinks for Iftar as it is expensive. The prices are not convenient for the poor who do not have income. This month seems to be only for the better off.”
Remembering Ramadan rituals back in Syria, she adds, “we used to gather around one table and invite each other for Iftar and we used to exchange gifts to celebrate the coming of Ramadan the most spiritual month. But now, we are scattered in camps we have no power but to ask to look for us and offer food aid for children at least.”
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