Respecting Ramadan

Remember how during the fighting in Iraq in the Persian Gulf War, in Afghanistan, and against Iraq in this war, there were always concerns that we would alienate Muslims by attacking a Muslim country during Ramadan. We were supposed to conduct a civilized war that respected our opponents religious traditions. We were supposed to ignore the entire history of Muslims attacking others, including other Muslims, during Ramadan. What we know as the Yom Kippur War is known among many Muslims as the Ramadan War.

Now Muslims in Gaza are bracing for more violence between Fatah and Hamas during Ramadan.

Palestinians in Gaza usually look forward to Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and festivities, but this year they fear renewed violence between the rival Hamas and Fatah factions.

For the first time, the Gaza Strip marks Islam's holiest month under the rule of the Islamist Hamas movement, which seized control of the territory in June after defeating security forces loyal to president Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah chief.

"I'm afraid," said Ibtissame, 32, shopping in her Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood of Gaza City with her little girl in tow. She was buying food for iftar, the meal which breaks the daily dawn-to-dusk fast.

"I'm sure there will be problems because a lot of people refuse to pray in the mosques. Hamas will put a stop to any prayers held in the streets," she said.

For the past two weeks, the Fatah party and groups belonging to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) have called on Palestinians to defy a Hamas ban and say their prayers outdoors.

They accuse Hamas of exploiting the mosques for political ends.

Hamas has responded with an iron hand, sending its paramilitaries to disperse the faithful in the streets and accusing Fatah in turn of "sowing chaos".

It has changed the mood surrounding the Islamic holy month which starts this week.

Remember what has gone on since Israel left and Hamas took over in Gaza next time you hear screeches for a full Palestinian state.