DATE=1/18/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244320
TITLE=RAMADAN/IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ARABS ARE CELEBRATING THE END OF THE 
HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.  RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE 
EAST BUREAU, THE CELEBRATIONS IN IRAQ ARE OVERSHADOWED BY 
BAGHDAD'S ON-GOING CRISIS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE THREAT 
OF NEW MILITARY STRIKES.

TEXT:  FOR MUSLIMS, THE END OF RAMADAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TIME 
OF CELEBRATION AFTER A MONTH OF FASTING AND INCREASED PIETY.  BUT
IN BAGHDAD, IRAQIS HAVE LITTLE TO CHEER ABOUT. 

THE HOLIDAY MARKING THE END OF RAMADAN, CALLED EID AL FITR 
(AI-'EED AL 'FITR), IS A TIME WHEN MUSLIMS EXCHANGE GIFTS, TRAVEL
AND EAT BIG MEALS.  BUT THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MOST IRAQIS TO 
AFFORD.

IRAQI NEWSPAPERS ARE FILLED WITH BITTER EDITORIALS [TODAY/MONDAY]
BLAMING THE WEST FOR THE HARDSHIPS CAUSED BY ECONOMIC SANCTIONS 
IMPOSED SINCE THE GULF WAR. 

AN EDITORIAL IN THE "BABEL" NEWSPAPER INVITES U-S SATELLITES AND 
SPY CAMERAS TO VIEW IRAQIS IN THEIR HOMES, MARKETS, AND SCHOOLS 
TO SEE THE PEOPLE'S HAPPINESS AND JOY DESPITE THE SANCTIONS AND 
BRUTAL ATTACKS.  THE NEWSPAPER ADDS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ
IS PROOF SADDAM HUSSEIN IS A SUCCESSFUL LEADER.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS INDICATE THE IRAQI PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING 
SHORTAGES OF FOOD AND MEDICINE, AND THE IRAQI ECONOMY IS IN 
SHAMBLES. 

MANY IRAQIS ALSO FEAR THE END OF RAMADAN COULD USHER IN A NEW 
WAVE OF AIR RAIDS, BECAUSE THE U-S AND BRITISH MILITARY ATTACKS 
ENDED WHEN RAMADAN BEGAN.

                        /// REST OPT ///

RAMADAN CAME TO A CLOSE IN MOST OF THE ARAB WORLD WHEN THE 
CRESCENT MOON WAS SIGHTED SUNDAY.  OUTSIDE IRAQ, THE EID HOLIDAY 
BEGAN AS NORMAL.  SHOPS CLOSED AND PEOPLE FLOODED TO PARKS AND 
OTHER PUBLIC AREAS. 

IN MOST OF THE MIDDLE EAST, THE EID LASTS THREE-DAYS, BUT IN IRAN
IT LASTS ONLY ONE.

IN SAUDI ARABIA, ABOUT TWO-MILLION MUSLIMS GATHERED IN MECCA FOR 
PRAYERS ENDING RAMADAN.

IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT RELEASED 
DOZENS OF PRISONERS HELD WITHOUT CHARGES IN PALESTINIAN JAILS.  
EGYPT HAS ALSO PROMISED TO RELEASE 16-HUNDRED PRISONERS. 

IN EGYPT, THE EID TRADITION IS THAT EVERYONE BUYS A NEW SET OF 
CLOTHING -- RANGING FROM ELABORATE WESTERN-STYLE ENSEMBLE TO A 
MODEST FLOWING SHIRT CALLED A GALABEYA [GA-LA-BEY-YA].

THE TINY SULTANATE OF OMAN, WHICH BEGAN RAMADAN A DAY LATER THAN 
THE REST OF THE MIDDLE EAST, IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ITS HOLIDAY 
TUESDAY.   (SIGNED) 

NEB/RHE/RAE/WTW

18-Jan-99 8:54 AM EST (1354 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.