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Ramadan Darfur's Greek Church Living on the Edge

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Ramadan Darfur's Greek Church Living on the Edge UNAMID’s publication for the people of Darfur VOL.03 SEPTEMBER 2010 RAMADAN A TIME OF SPIRITUALITY & GRATITUDE DARFUR’S GREEK CHURCH SERVING THOSE IN NEED LIVING ON THE EDGE MAINTAINING PEACE IN KUTUM AFRICAN UNION - UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN DARFUR (UNAMID) IN THIS ISSUE CULTURE 4| Ramadan in Darfur 6| Darfur’s Greek Church COMMUNITY 8| King of El Fasher 10| Job opportunities for college graduates UNAMID 11| Volunteering for peace 12| Darfur celebrates youth SECURITY 14| Living on the edge Albert Gonzalez Farran Director/CPID: Kemal Saïki Editor-in-Chief: Chris Cycmanick Olivier Chassot Olivier Assistant Editors: Sharon Lukunka & Ala Mayyahi Contributors: Lucy Mathieson, Guiomar Pau Sole Mayada Umbadda, Andrea Volfova & Matthew Willis Photographers: Olivier Chassot, Albert Gonzalez Farran Design: Arie Santoso The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNAMID concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Material contained in this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, provided credit is attributed to UNAMID. 2 VOICES OF DARFUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 TIMELINE UNAMID Deputy Joint Spe- Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh UNAMID Joint Special Repre- 01 cial Representative Moham- 21 of Ghana takes up his duties 23 sentative (JSR) Ibrahim Gam- ed B. Yonis travels to South Darfur as UNAMID’s Police Commissioner. bari concludes a two-day visit to El to meet with the State’s Wali (Gov- Mr. Oppong-Boanuh succeeds Mr. Geneina and Zalingei, West Darfur ernor), Dr. Abdul Hammid Musa Ka- Micheal Fryer of South Africa. where he is briefed on the security sha, and leaders of Kalma internally and humanitarian situation. During displaced persons camp to address the visit, the JSR meets with leaders the security situation in the camp. of the Mournei internally displaced AUGUST persons camp located about 48 kil- AT A GLANCE ometers south of El Geneina. Thousands gather at El 12 Zubeir Stadium in El Fasher, North Darfur, to see internation- ally-renowned musicians perform at a UNAMID-sponsored concert marking the beginning of the In- ternational Year of Youth, under the theme “Together as one.” AU High Level Implementation Panel Chairman Thabo Mbe- 26 ki, US Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration, Sudanese Presi- dential Advisor Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani and UNAMID JSR Ibrahim Gambari take part in discussions on the Darfur peace strategy. Two Jordanian UNAMID po- The meeting underlines the necessity of a comprehensive strategy 18 lice advisers abducted by un- that encompasses all aspects of the Darfur problem, including secu- identified armed men on 14 August rity, stabilization, development and early recovery. in Nyala, South Darfur, are released unharmed. VOICES OF DARFUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 3 CULTURE Ramadan in Darfur A time when fasting, spirituality, noble values and generosity come together. BY GUIOMAR PAU Ramadan is the month of fasting ing the night to carry them through receive from the World Food Pro- and worshiping. Along with prayer, the day. gramme: sorghum, sugar, beans, Muslims fast during the day for a salt, and oil. whole month. When night falls, Some women are confronted with activity revitalizes and ‘Iftar’ (after a major challenge during Ramadan “I have to work for three days to earn sunset meals) or ‘Suhoor’ (before the as they will work throughout the 18 pounds (US $7) to buy a kilo of dawn) substitute the usual dinner day and then prepare large, varied meat. Meat is very expensive here, I and breakfast. dishes for the entire family, while cannot afford it,” explains Asina Ab- fasting. For those living in internally dallah Raman, who arrived in the Besides the traditional meals, the displaced person (IDP) camps the camp in 2004. She used to have a holy month brings with it goodwill sacrifice can be even greater. farm in her village of Takpar, located and humbleness, along with acts of close to Korma, 81 kilometers west charity. Due to the fact that fasting In Abu Shouk IDP camp, near El of El Fasher. “There is a big differ- Muslims will not eat or drink during Fasher, North Darfur, women pre- ence in the way we celebrate Rama- daylight hours, they need to have pare large meals in spite of having dan now compared to how we did energizing and nutritious meals dur- to utilize the normal rations they before, when we did not have eco- 4 VOICES OF DARFUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 PHOTOS : ALBERT GONZALEZ FARRAN left. IDPs from Abu Shouk prepare the evening meal right top. A woman in Abu Shouk carries the Iftar right down. Abdul Baki smokes after sunset in Turba Village nomic problems,” she recalls. She is has many tasks and preparing the ple began to live in Darfur, and its in- currently the only member of her ‘Iftar’ takes a long time. Starting with habitants gave food to people who family who has a job and when she soaking dates at 14:00 hrs, she and were passing by their town during finishes her duties she still has to her eldest daughter cook during the days of Ramadan. The tradition prepare special dishes and drinks for the afternoon until they finish with remains upheld as men still invite Ramadan for her husband and their ‘asida,’ a traditional dish made with those who might pass through to five children. flour and water. The meal will take share a meal. several hours to prepare. Another resident, Umdifan Adam For many this is a special time of the Ali, has been living in Abu Shouk When the sun sets, men in Abu year as fasting, spirituality, noble val- for six years. She is unhappy as it is Shouk, as well as in El Fasher, join ues and generosity come together. still not safe to return to her home other male family members and in Korma. “There are fights there neighbors to break the fast and pray and the armed men have stolen together outside, while women re- our livestock,” she explains. During main at home. It is an old tradition Ramadan she feels exhausted; she which started when nomadic peo- VOICES OF DARFUR, SEPTEMBER 2010 5 CULTURE Darfur’s Greek Church In a region with a predominately Muslim population, a minority of less than 5,000 Catholics have their own place of worship. The church also runs a medical center and a kindergarten. BY ALA MAHHayi AND SHaron LuKUNKA It is well known that the ancient belonging to the church. The par- The El Fasher Catholic Church be- Greek civilization was widely spread ish also has a kindergarten for the longs to the El Obeid Diocese, and many of their traces still exist children of El Fasher, which supplies whose bishop is presently Antonio in different countries all over the educational materials and provides Menegasso. The Church has two world. Yet, not a lot of people know entertainment activities. Since the priests, Reverend Father Lucka Jomo that the Greeks reached even the outbreak of the armed conflict in and Reverend Anthony Ernest Laa - lands of Darfur. Darfur, the church’s doors have been both are from South Sudan. open for those affected, Christians During the 18th Century, Greek and Muslims alike, and for internally The church runs Christian Centers in and Syrian merchants arrived in El displaced persons in need of shelter other places, one of which is in Zam Fasher, North Darfur, as traders sell- or humanitarian aid. Zam for UNAMID staff, and another ing goods such as clothes and food in El Geneina. items. In modern times, the Greeks would have a Father Lucka has seen place in El Fasher which many changes during his remains open to this day. six years with the parish. It is the Catholic Church, “The security situation built in 1938, and called has improved. People “Our Lady Help of Chris- now walk freely in the tians Parish.” streets, and we see new buildings coming up, Since opening its doors, new schools and roads, the church has been ac- despite an increase in lo- tively attended by Chris- cal prices. However, the tians, a minority of less international community than 5,000 people. To- has stimulated the local day the place of worship economy and provided hosts nearly 300 attend- job opportunities to the ees every Sunday, most Darfuris,” he said. Fa- of whom are originally A young worshipper with the picture of St. Bakhita ther Luka noted that the from the Nuba Moun- church maintains a good tains of South Kordofan, in addition Among the many pictures of saints relationship with national authori- to internationals from United Na- hanging on the church’s walls is that ties. tions organizations and NGOs. Mass of Josephine Bakhita, the first Suda- services in Arabic are performed for nese saint. Kidnapped at an early The church is part of Darfur’s history national worshippers, while services age by merchants, she was sold into and a symbol of the region’s cul- for expatriates are held in English. slavery numerous times before be- tural heritage. In these critical times, ing purchased by an Italian diplo- serving those in need regardless of The church provides many services mat and taken to Italy. It was there religion or origin, the church proves to the population regardless of that she spent more than 50 years, that people of Darfur can unite to their religion. For example, it runs a before passing away in 1947. Rec- overcome their differences. medical center which lends free as- ognizing her as an African saint who sistance to those who need it.
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