Misrata: Food Shortages and Fights Persist

Despite the ongoing fighting in Misrata to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, rebels aren’t expect any respite during Ramadan. The holy month will also see rebel fighters fasting on the frontlines out in the summer heat fighting pro-Gaddafi forces.

Markets are short of food, with prices rising as demands for supplies increases. Produce traditionally consumed during Ramadan, like dates, are rare in the central markets.

Mohammed Abu Zreeba, a stall owner said, "Dates do not have a long shelf life, our best dates are in the (Gaddafi-controlled) south, this is far from us and cannot reach us by sea. Cars and transportation cannot get here either."

Others said western allies should find quicker ways to help fund the National Transitional Council in Libya.

At the Zurouq mosque, rebels said that this Ramadan will be unlike anything in the past where Gaddafi would share many controversial views on religion. He once suggested an amendment to a verse in the Koran and often announces the beginning of Ramadan on a different day to the rest of the Muslim world.

Muftaah Abdul-Hamid, who prays at the mosque said, "We hope this month of Ramadan will be different to the more than 40 Ramadans before it. We never had our Ramadan with our Muslim countries and this Ramadan, God willing, it will be with the other countries at the beginning of Ramadan, ending of Ramadan and celebrating our Eid God willing."

Gaddafi's government will try to put more pressure on the western alliance led by NATO to stop bombing during the holy month but rebels say Islam does not forbid warfare at any time and the biggest victories for Islam were in the month of Ramadan

Speakers:
Mohammed Abu Zreeba, a stall owner
Muftaah Abdul-Hamid

Voice:
Tony Mezeraani