MADRID: The Spanish interior minister said on Friday he hoped a diplomatic spat with Morocco over an influx of illegal migrants into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta would soon end.
Morocco had appeared to loosen its border controls with Ceuta for two days on Monday, letting thousands of migrants pour into the enclave. The move was widely viewed as retaliation for Spain’s hosting of Western Sahara independence leader Brahim Ghali.
Spain has said Ghali was admitted as a COVID-19 patient to a Spanish hospital last month under an assumed name and an Algerian diplomatic passport for humanitarian reasons.
“There was a disagreement (with Morocco) and we hope this disagreement will be as short-lived as possible,” Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told COPE radio station.
“It is inconceivable that a humanitarian gesture should trigger a situation like the crisis in Ceuta.”
Ghali’s Algeria-backed Polisario Front is fighting for the independence of Western Sahara, a territory once held by Spain and under Moroccan control since the 1970s.
Ceuta was quiet on Friday as authorities kept sending back migrants who had broken into the enclave. More than 6,500 migrants have now been returned to Morocco out of some 8,000 who swam to Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday, Grande-Marlaska said.
A senior Spanish diplomatic source told Reuters: “We have been calling for calm and moderation since this started... We still have a strategic relationship with Morocco.”
Morocco’s minister of state for human rights, Mustafa Ramid, accused Spain on Thursday of committing a “reckless and totally unacceptable act” in admitting Ghali without consulting Rabat. He said Morocco had “the right to lean back” in response.
In Spain’s other North African enclave, Melilla, located about 300 km (185 miles) east of Ceuta, some 30 migrants crossed over in the early hours on Friday, scaling the high, razor-wired fence that separates it from Morocco, authorities said.
The European Union has expressed solidarity with Spain over the crisis.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday: “Migrants and refugees can’t be used as geopolitical pawns to put pressure to the European Union as a whole, and I think we need to be very, very strict when this happens.”
Spain hopes for swift end to spat with Morocco as more migrants sent back
https://arab.news/ptswr
Spain hopes for swift end to spat with Morocco as more migrants sent back
- Morocco had appeared to loosen its border controls with Ceuta letting thousands of migrants pour into the enclave
- Move was viewed as retaliation for Spain's hosting of Western Sahara independence leader Brahim Ghali
Ramadan lights illuminate London’s heart as mayor calls for unity
- A sign reading ‘Happy Ramadan,’ decorated with stars and crescent moons, will be illuminated from sunrise to sunset
- This year, the Muslim fasting month coincides with Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
LONDON: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has switched on the Ramadan lights as British Muslims prepare to welcome the fasting month this week.
“A beautiful celebration of the holy month and a reminder that our city is a beacon of hope, unity, and inclusivity. A city where diversity is a strength, and where everyone is loved and wanted,” Khan wrote on X.
The heart of London’s West End is now illuminated by 30,000 LED bulbs for the fourth consecutive year, celebrating culture, cuisine, and community during the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee of the charitable Aziz Foundation, told Arab News that organizing the canopy of lights on Coventry Street, near Piccadilly Circus, has expanded every year since 2023.
“And what started as just a simple light installation has become something where you can really experience the spirit of Ramadan and what it has to offer,” she said.
For this year’s program, the Aziz Foundation has organized “Shared Lights,” an interfaith art exhibition in the basement of the Zedwell Hotel, featuring 20 artists from across the UK who explore the values central to Ramadan, including love, peace, generosity, and hope.
The charity has also created an interactive digital map of halal and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, allowing visitors to plan their iftar meals from exclusive set menus and locate nearby prayer spaces and evening activities.
“Many young Muslims will choose to have iftar out with their friends and family, in central London. So, we wanted to provide them with more incentive to really spend and boost the local economy, through freebies and special discounts,” Aziz said.
An estimated 4 million British Muslims live across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, with over 1 million living in London alone, according to the 2021 census. London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, which have become part of the city’s calendar alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.
A sign that reads “Happy Ramadan,” decorated with stars and crescent moons, will be illuminated nightly from 5:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and will then change to “Happy Eid” in celebration of Eid Al-Fitr in March. This year, Ramadan coincides with Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent begins on Feb. 18 and concludes on April 2. If the moon is sighted, Ramadan is expected to start on Feb. 17 and end on March 18.
“Eventually, we’ll get to a time where we’re sharing Ramadan with Christmas, which is just beautiful. Great opportunity for some cross-cultural experiences,” Aziz added.
Ramadan, which follows the lunar Hijri calendar, occurs approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year in relation to the Gregorian solar calendar. This year, Muslims in London will fast for between 12 and 14 hours daily. Iftar is held around 5:30 p.m. at the beginning of the month and around 6:30 p.m. as the month approaches the end. However, when Ramadan falls in the summer, the fasting period can last nearly 19 hours, and these hours vary across countries and regions within a country.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahada, a profession of faith, prayer, giving alms, and performing Hajj. Muslims refrain from food, drink, and some activities during daylight for 30 days as a way to reflect on religion, life, and empathize with the poor.
“I grew up in London. I’ve been here most of my life,” Aziz said. “What is really special for me is seeing the curiosity about Ramadan and about Islam increase. Ramadan lights are about making people feel that London is a melting pot of diversity, for everyone.”
