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In Israel's Arab Towns, Support for Harsh Ramadan Coronavirus Restrictions
(Ha'aretz) Jack Khoury - Muslim clergy, mayors of Arab communities and Arab social activists in Israel are afraid of accelerating the spread of Covid-19 during the holy month of Ramadan starting at the end of this week, with many supporting stricter restrictions on the public during this period. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan met with Arab mayors and proposed they do as was done for the Passover holiday, with actions to prevent gatherings. The chairman of the council of Arab communities, Mudar Yunis, told Ha'aretz that most mayors expressed support for more severe restrictions on the Arab public. The Muslim clergy have made it clear that the mosques will remain closed and all the prayer services, including the mass prayers that are held every evening after the meal to break the fast, will be held at home with only a limited number of family members. The decision to close the mosques in Arab communities followed the decision to close the mosques in Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, as well as the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.