U.S. Ramadan strategy for Afghanistan http://www.mymontana.com/news.phtml?newsid=WWN-UPI-1-20011030-02412900-b c-us-strikes-ramadan-Text Tuesday, October 30th, 2001 2:41 AM GMT U.S. Ramadan strategy for Afghanistan ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 30 (UPI) - Although rejecting appeals to stop bombing Afghanistan during Ramadan, the United States has planned a new strategy, addressing Muslim sensitivities during the fasting month. Officials at Pakistan's ministry for foreign affairs told United Press International that the Americans informed them they have a plan for Ramadan that begins Nov. 17. According to this plan, U.S.-led airstrikes into Afghanistan will be paused at sahoor and iftar timings and also at noon on Fridays to allow the Muslims to say their weekly prayers, Pakistani officials said. Sahoor is the time when the Muslims have their pre-fast meal at dawn while iftar is the time for their sunset meal. They do not eat or drink from dawn to dusk. The pause will be longer on Jumatul Wida or the last Friday of Ramadan which is considered one of the holiest days of the month. According to Pakistani officials the Americans are also considering a daylong pause on Eid-ul-Fitr, the annual end of Ramadan festival. The United States launched its military operation against Afghanistan's Taliban rulers on Oct. 7 after they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden and other suspected terrorists. Bin Laden is the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States in which more than 5,000 are believed to have died. Several Muslim allies in the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism have urged Washington to halt the attacks during Ramadan. U.S. officials have rejected the appeal, saying that military and not political considerations will determine the fate of the war. But the pressure to show some compassion during Ramadan increased following reports from U.N. and other independent sources that several U.S. bombs have hit civilian targets, killing dozens of people. Pakistan, which is a key member of the U.S.-led alliance and has allowed Washington to use its bases for attacks into Afghanistan, already faces a small but violent religious protest against its decision to side with the United States. Once again appealing to the United States to stop the strikes during Ramadan, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said Monday that bombings during the fasting month could create more problems for his government. -- All rights reserved. Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
