Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi wished for a happy month for Iraqis hoping that this month of forgiveness may bring people together and create a bond of brotherhood once again amongst the sons of Iraq.
“May Allah protect Iraq and its people …and bring back security, stability and prosperity to Iraq…” he said in a statement. It is Abdul-Mahdi’s first Ramadan as prime minister.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) wished a happy Ramadan to Muslims of Kurdistan, hoping this occasion may bring peace and harmony to the people of the country.
"On the occasion of Ramadan, we are extending our warmest congratulations to the Muslims of Kurdistan, Iraq and the world," Safeen Dizayee, the spokesperson for the KRG said in a statement. "We hope this month becomes a source of brotherhood, harmony and bolstering unity."
Dizayee added in light of Ramadan, the KRG has decided to reduce working hours across its institutions by one hour.
He emphasised the significance of patience, piety and tolerance as encouraged by the month of Ramadan, as well as partnership and brotherhood among "our people."
Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Region's largest party — the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) — wished for a blessed holy month.
"I wish the Muslims of Kurdistan, Iraq and around the globe a happy and blessed holy month of Ramadan," he tweeted.
Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the KRG and a Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politician, congratulated all Muslims.
"Congratulations on the advent of Ramadan to all Muslims in the Kurdish nation and the world. I commend the relevant parties who monitor pricing in the market and the quality of the foods... I wish a peaceful Ramadan to everyone," he tweeted.
Local officials have warned businesses of price hikes during the holy month. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments urged sermon givers to call on business people and shops not to use Ramadan to increase prices.
Committees have been established to check item prices across cities in the Region, promising stricter fines for price-hikes.
"Those people who do not adhere to our rules and regulations will face fines," Nabaz Abdulwahid, the Erbil mayor, told Rudaw. He added that over the past four months they have fined shoppers 100 million dinars due to price hikes.
"Until the end of the Ramadan, we will regularly check restaurants," he explained, saying they’ll pay particular attention to the bazaars.
Local officials in other provinces are also cautioning businessmen not to increase prices. Sulaimani Mayor Awat Mohammed said they are "closely monitoring prices before and during Ramadan."
Foreign missions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region also expressed their well wishes for the holy month.
"The German Consul General in Erbil extends warm congratulations to all Muslims on the occasion of the advent of the month of Ramadan. We wish them a pleasant and peaceful month,” the German consulate general tweeted.
On behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in #Erbil and the #American people, CG Fagin wishes you a blessed #Ramadan from the Grand Mosque of the Erbil Citadel! pic.twitter.com/a5GCpcTU35
— U.S. Consulate Erbil (@USConGenErbil) May 6, 2019
“On behalf of the US Consulate General in Erbil and the American people, CG Fagin wishes you a blessed Ramadan from the Grand Mosque of the Erbil Citadel!” US Consul General Steven tweeted.
The head of the Erbil Office of the Embassy of Canada, Nancy Bergeron, wished Ramadan Kareem on the occasion.
"Ramadan Kareem from all of us at the Erbil Office of the Embassy of Canada. May this holly month be blessed and peaceful to all," she tweeted.
The Kurdistan Region, while diverse, is predominately Sunni Muslim.
The most desired food item during Ramadan traditionally is dates, as Muslims traditionally break their daily fast by eating the fruit.
Date prices have spiked in Kurdistan Region’s markets ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. Traders in Erbil blame Iraq’s ban on cheaper foreign imports.
Ramadan began on Monday in most of the Middle East, including Iraq. Throughout the month Ramadan observers will fast during the daytime and break their fast at Iftar, the evening meal after sunset.
Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims because it was during this month that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. Fasting is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam.
Update: 1:49 p.m.
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