Hard to celebrate povertyWhen Eid’s joy turns to sorrow [Archives:2003/689/Front Page]

Yasser Mohammed Al-Mayyasi
Even though the Eid that concludes Ramadan is expected to be a time of joy and happiness, and a blessing day for Muslims to gather with each other and have an enjoyable time after a month of worshipping and dedication to God, many in Yemen feel that it is a time of sorrow.

Eid’s extra burdens
This becomes the case because of the extra hard economic burdens faced by most of those who live below the poverty line, and that constitutes most of the population.
It is indeed a heartbreaking scene to look at poor children with filthy clothes and no food to eat walking around begging during Eid in a time they should be playing in the park with other children with joy and delight.
I remember talking once to a family that was begging pedestrians to provide them money for food and basic needs. “You see, we are only hoping that in this Eid, we will get enough food to eat and if our children could get a piece of meat during this Eid, then that would be a blessing.” the handicapped father told me.
There are times when the poor actually hate the Eid because they know that their children and families would demand more money for expenses such as new clothes, food, and other items that they feel necessary for the Eid. This of course means extra expenses that are not included in the salary received.
I was able to roam a neighborhood in Sanaa and ask citizens there about what they feel about Eid and came out with interesting conclusions.

An occasion for joy
All those whom I met agree that the Eid is an important religious occasion in which social relations, visits to relatives, and abandoning of envies should be the priority. They focused on the need for the rich to take advantage of this time in helping the poor and vulnerable to create happiness in their lives. It is quite difficult for any human being to celebrate with lavish food and fancy luxuries while knowing that the poor are sleeping hungry.
Nasser, a taxi driver in Sanaa said that he believes that Eid is an opportunity to spend happy time with families and relatives. But he adds, “Today, conditions are so desperate that eid’s days do not have their mystical feeling any more.
Many cannot travel to their family because they could not provide enough money for travel expenses and provide family members with clothes, gifts, and other things. I personally prefer staying here rather than going empty handed.”
Fadhil, a guard at one of the companies in Sanaa said that he also had to stay in the city and not travel to his family and relatives in the village. “I cannot leave because my work does not permit this.
I have to stay and work here despite my utmost desire to go and see my family. But I have no option because this is the only way I can make a living. Besides, my salary is so low that I cannot afford travel and Eid expenses.” Fadhil had to hold on tight to his low-paying job because of scarce job opportunities and very high unemployment rate.
“I can see that the gap between the poor and rich has become bigger than any time before.” he concluded.

Hopes to cover essentials
Hassan Ali, a carpenter, said poverty has taken its toll and made him along with many others he knew. “Our large families and many expenses make it impossible for us to spend any rial on non-necessary items. Job conditions are very tough and income coming from demanding occupations such as carpentry is barely enough to cover the very basic and essential needs, and Eid requires so many expenses.
We have been trying so hard to gain as much income as possible during Ramadan to cover those expenses, and I am sure we will not cover them all.”
Just as all surveyed persons agreed that eid should be a time for joy, they all agreed that economic conditions nowadays make this joy disappear from the lives of most of the poor, who suffer more every year.
Yet again, it is fortunate that children, even those of the poor can still enjoy Eid with their innocence as they play in the streets or public parks with very little money, and sometimes no money at all. They are the ones whom the Eid is dedicated for and all pray that they will continue to enjoy it regardless of the economic conditions lived by their families.
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