Not a hardship, but a blessing: Back-to-basics Ramadan
Traversing a downtown Amman market, Mohammed breezes right by what were once must stops for Ramadan: decor shops, sweets, colorful lights, tailors.
He is here only for the basics: bread.
With Muslims dealing with both social distancing and the growing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, many like Mohammed have a new perspective on the holy month.
“We don’t need extravagance for Ramadan,” the retired clerk says as he enters a bakery for a 75-cent-bag of pita. “We just thank God for our health, a home, and food to eat.”
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Indeed, the pandemic’s restrictions are stripping away a consumerist culture that recently had
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