
Morocco breaks Arab consensus on Ramadan start date
Shafaq News/ Morocco announced that Sunday, March 2, will mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, diverging from the rest of the Arab world, which declared Saturday as the first day of the holy month.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine, and Iraq 's Sunni Endowment all confirmed that Ramadan would begin on Saturday following the sighting of the crescent moon.
Morocco's Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs explained that after conducting moon sighting observations across the kingdom on Friday, in coordination with religious officials and military observation units, no sightings were reported. As a result, Sha'ban (the month before Ramadan) will complete its 30-day cycle, delaying Ramadan for 1446 Hijri to Sunday.
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Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
From Baghdad to Hit: Eid breakfasts that define Iraq's cultural legacy
Shafaq News/ On the morning of Eid al-Adha*, long before the cities fully awaken, the scent of tradition rises from the kitchens of Iraq. In Baghdad, no celebration begins without Kahi — crisp, oven-baked pastry — topped with a generous layer of fresh Geimer, a rich clotted cream that transforms breakfast into a ritual of joy and nostalgia. Despite changing times, the Baghdadi table remains faithful to this beloved pairing, more than just a meal — it is the taste of childhood, a symbol of shared moments, and a quiet reminder that some traditions never fade. Hundreds of kilometers away, in the city of Hit in al-Anbar province, a different yet equally heartfelt tradition unfolds. As dawn light spills into the old alleys, the aroma of clarified butter and white beans stewing in broth signals a communal beginning to Eid. The city's signature breakfast — white rice with a hearty bean stew, often enriched with lamb or local chicken — is served in generous portions meant for the family, guests, and even neighbors. 'We grew up with this,' said Haj Sami al-Heeti, a local elder, to Shafaq News. 'Rice and white beans are part of our identity — not just food, but a blessing we gather around.' For Um Ubaida, a mother of five, no Eid feels right without it. 'We might change the sweets or Kleicha,' she noted, laughing, 'but the kids always ask: 'Did you make the beans yet?' It's heavy like lunch, but for us, it's emotional. It feels like the real start of Eid.' Each household in Hit adds its own touch — some prefer red meat, others chicken; some enrich it with cardamom and cinnamon, while others keep it simple. But what unites them is the essence: a dish that speaks of belonging and roots. Social researcher Ahmad Farhan told our agency that the Eid breakfast in the city is 'a vivid example of how communities preserve their cultural identity even through food,' noting that it reflects values of generosity, solidarity, and fidelity to tradition. And while global cuisine has made its way into modern Iraqi households, the younger generation hasn't let go. 'Sure, we can have pizza anytime,' said Ali al-Jumaili, a university student, 'but on Eid morning, it's always beans first. It's our way.' From Baghdad's golden Kahi and Geimer to Hit's comforting rice and beans, Eid in Iraq is not just a celebration — it is a story told through food, rich with flavor, memory, and meaning. *Eid al-Adha, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is an Islamic holiday commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, it coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. The festival involves special prayers and the ritual sacrifice of an animal—usually a sheep, goat, or cow—with the meat shared among family, friends, and those in need.


Shafaq News
18 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Baking memory: A man's 'kleicha' marks the taste of Eid in Najaf
Shafaq News/ On the eve of the feast (Eid), a quiet ritual begins across Iraq—not with fireworks or fanfare, but with a scent. It drifts from kitchen ovens and corner bakeries, heady with cardamom, date, and flour. In Najaf, that scent leads you to Khalid Abu Zahraa's tiny shop on Al-Hussein Street, where 'kleicha' —the pastry that defines Eid for millions—is being prepared with care, memory, and meaning. 'This is our joy,' Khalid says, watching as another tray slides into the oven. 'Kleicha is how we feel Eid.' For more than 25 years, Khalid has made kleicha the old-fashioned way, kneading dough with clarified fat, yellow flour, butter, and black seed, before filling it with hand-ground dates, crushed walnuts, or sticky rose-scented Turkish delight. His recipe, handed down through his family, remains unchanged—but he's expanded it to meet the needs of the present, offering sugar-free versions for diabetic customers and olive oil alternatives for the health-conscious. Customers are just as varied, locals stocking up for the feast, pilgrims drawn from Najaf's sacred shrines, and loyal regulars making the trip from Baghdad and Basra — all returning for trays of 'kleicha' baked in the same oven that shaped their childhood memories. 'This is a craft of trust,' Khalid says, adding 'They know the taste—they come back to find it again.' A few days before Eid, Iraq hums with preparation. Clothes are pressed, floors swept, and fridges stocked. Yet amid the activity, it's 'kleicha' that fills the home with anticipation. Making it is a communal act—mothers, daughters, and grandmothers working dough together, shaping the future with hands rooted in the past. On Eid morning, the rhythm shifts, children in new clothes crowd the streets, worshippers line the mosques, greetings echo from one doorway to the next, and inside every home, trays of 'kleicha' sit warm beside sacrificial meat, tea, and family. In Iraq, Eid is more than a holiday, it's heritage you can smell. Its history is shaped by hand and served with hospitality. In places like Khalid's bakery, it's still alive—folded into pastry, baked into memory. So if you ever pass through Najaf, follow the scent. You may find Khalid at his oven, offering not just a sweet, but a story that in every bite of 'kleicha' lies the flavorofEiditself.


Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
Syria's Latakia towns under curfew after attack
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Syrian security forces imposed a curfew in the towns of Al-Daliyah and Beit Aana in the countryside of Jableh, south of Latakia, amid heightened tension and a heavy military presence. Syrian General Security announced in a statement that the curfew was imposed after 'an illegal group' attacked the communication center in Al-Daliya area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the curfew, which began at 7:30 p.m. (local time), 'coincides with reports of an assault on an abandoned government building and an ongoing operation to take control of positions previously held by an armed faction preparing to withdraw from the area.' Military convoys from Hama's countryside, equipped with heavy weapons and affiliated with the General Security Directorate and the Ministry of Defense, were seen heading toward the coastal region. The purpose and final destination of these deployments remain unclear, SOHR revealed.