READER COMMENTS

Why did he sign the initiative/ played ? Why did he say that the president of the Gulf initiative told him to sign in the form of an order, and this isn’t an answer? Why is he sitting in Riyadh and every now and then he gives a speech, while he’s not qualified to give speeches or to work? We just want the world to know what this president is about. All these assumptions took place in a couple of months. Think how much reform and organization he promised us; but they were only spoken promises. We say, God is our only and best guardian.

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the months in which the general public goes to the markets to do shopping for all the goods which the Saudi citizen needs, in terms of necessary goods and food. So, I believe that the rush of people in that way at the beginning of Ramadan was the cause that led to the increase in demand for these goods, in a way that is not commensurate with the offers in the market. This is one of the reasons which lead to the increase in the citizen’s demand for food, and to this unprecedented price increase. So, I believe that the Saudi citizen was one of the reasons which led to this big increase in prices, which raised the prices of some goods by up to about 30%, and this increase affects the Saudi family. In addition to that, the exploitation and greed of the merchants led to the increase in demand for nutritious goods. This resulted in a clear monopoly process, which allows the merchant to be the only one who determines the prices, and this is a taboo that cannot be accepted, especially in this holy month. The greedy merchants exploited the increase in demand for food to raise the prices, in order to have double and quick profits. They also exploited the absence of pricing and imposing fines on the transgressors among the merchants, because of the absence of the governmental control. This was also one of the reasons which encouraged some to raise the prices in that way. In addition, the process of transporting goods from some of the countries which the local Saudi markets were depending on witnessed a significant decline because of the economic crisis, in addition to the situations and changes that have been happening in the Arab region. That’s what I figure are some of the reasons which led to the increase in the prices of goods in the Saudi markets, which had a great impact on the shoppers, who suffer because of this remarkable and urgent increase in prices in the holy month of Ramadan.

What happened in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is that it is witnessing a state of great inflation in prices, especially regarding food items, which caused disturbance to Saudi citizens, especially since the honorable month of Ramadan is approaching. I don’t know the reason behind the increase in prices taking place in the Arab countries regarding material and food items; is it greed or is it a new style that is gaining momentum in the Arab countries in order to exploit the season of the honorable month of Ramadan? Ramadan becomes a season because people show great willingness to buy many food items to be prepared for the honorable month of Ramadan, including sweets, pastries and other food that fasting people love and crave, in addition to vegetables and fruit. The government and the traders are supposed to go easy on citizens in this regard, so that Muslim citizens could feel that attention is given to the rituals and traditions of the honorable month of Ramadan and that Ramadan is the month of benevolence, blessing, tolerance and lenience. Therefore, it is very necessary for there to be cooperation between the government, the traders and the Arab citizens, especially Saudis, because they face the problem of the sharp and great increase in prices which causes psychological harm to Muslims in Saudi Arabia and deprives many citizens of the ability to make purchases. This will disturb many families that have no capabilities to buy materials and food items and provide them for their families and children. As such, it is very important to cooperate with citizens to present easy conditions and reduce the prices of all items, in order for citizens to live in total comfort without being upset or disturbed about this.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing a major problem, which is the severe increase in prices, especially in Ramadan. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should be one of the countries that don’t accept the increase in prices, especially in the holy month, because it is a conservative country which receives large numbers of people from the different Muslim Arab countries to perform the Umrah. It should be the first to oppose this increase. In my opinion, the Saudi government should have a solution to this major problem of where the poor citizen will be able to get the money to adequately provide for his needs. We see that the basic needs are the most expensive, and the Saudi people are kind, and should be treated in a good way in Ramadan, as this month brings all the good. If earning a living is left up to human beings, the brother would have fought with his brother to get money, but because of God, he is blessing us with money. As Arabs, we should join forces and help those who can’t live well. What do you think about the situation of Somalia and this famine they are suffering from? They are Muslims; can a rich one from among you help them in this holy month? You raise the prices and collect money. Please, enough; this is forbidden. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the noblest Gulf, Arab and Muslim countries. You should take care of the citizens’ rights in it, and differentiate between the rich and the poor, as the poor are helpless at this time. We want the officials to find a solution, and to deal with this problem and solve it, because the Saudis can’t face the continuous rise in prices. You should be tender toward them; may God have mercy on all of us in this Holy month, so we can transmit a good image of the kingdom, which is one of the best countries among the Gulf and Arab countries.

The blessed month of Ramadan is one of the months that are particularly sacred, especially for the Muslims, because it is the month in which God the Exalted revealed the Quran, which is the eternal book of God, to his Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing of God be upon him. God sent him as a mercy for the whole world. Also, there is a night in Ramadan which is worth more than a thousand months, which is the blessed night of Destiny, Lailat-ul-Qadr, in which God the Exalted forgives the past sins of his servants and turns them into good deeds.

Yes, the month of Ramadan has greatly affected the increase in prices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries of the world where Muslims reside, who fast and celebrate during this great month. In fact, the month of Ramadan isn’t the reason; the reason is people’s increasing desire to purchase some necessary items and material that can’t be dispensed with. The reason behind the increase in prices is the scarcity of items supplied, for a reason that the traders and importers know. Even though the month of Ramadan is the same in all Muslim countries, Ramadan rituals differ from one country to another and from one people to another. As such, Ramadan in Saudi has special traditions and habits that are not the same as those in other Arab countries. Celebrating the month of Ramadan isn’t complete without traditions. Therefore, Saudis spend to purchase certain supplies and items, no matter how expensive they are, in spite of the great increase in some of their prices, because they constitute traditions that couldn’t be ignored. Saudis are used to holding big feasts for their families, neighbors, colleagues and other people who are considered an inseparable part of the Saudis’ lives. The raw materials used in making sweets are among the items whose prices have greatly increased, because of people’s increasing demand for them all over the world during the month of Ramadan. Also, the prices of dried dates greatly increase, because they are considered the main meal with which people break their fasting after a long day of hunger and thirst with the high temperature. Even though Saudi Arabia is famous for dried dates, their prices have greatly increased. It is noteworthy to mention that some shops and supermarkets in different parts of Saudi Arabia have raised the prices of goods and items, but in return, they announced promotional offers to tempt citizens in order to shop and buy them in spite of their increase in prices, as shops were crowded with citizens who wanted to get their necessary needs and supplies.

The absence of supervision of the markets to determine the prices of goods is among the reasons that have led to the increase of prices. In fact, many merchants have not received their due punishment from the supervision authorities. This has encouraged greed and blackmailing among people in an inhuman, unethical and forbidden way. In fact, the increase of food products’ prices and the fact of their being unavailable in the local markets have affected the Saudi families who have a limited income. These families have become unable to keep up with this excessive increase. Thus, they have become deprived of buying most of the kinds of food products, such as red meat. And I think that the Saudi people have also contributed to bringing about and aggravating this crisis, because many families have continuously gone to the markets in order to do the shopping and to prepare for the month of Ramadan. This has increased the demand for food products. Thus, many merchants have become unable to provide the food products. This has led to the increase in prices. Thus, all these factors have led to the increase in the prices of the food products in the local markets. This has largely affected the Saudi people.

The high increase in prices in all Arab and Islamic countries, especially in the holy month of Ramadan, is totally rejected because it is an exploitation of people in the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting people buy a lot of food in this month so as to make all the dishes and sweets they want to eat, and they buy clothes for the Eid. We don’t know who is responsible for this price increase that is happening in the Arab countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which is the “Mecca” for Muslims. Prices are supposed to be reduced in the month of Ramadan, not raised. Who is responsible for what is happening? Is it the government or the merchants and shop owners? Is it for the sake of exploiting people's need for foods and goods for their families and children? I think that raising prices and taking advantage of the situation is evidence of greed and exploitation of the holy month of Ramadan for the sake of more profit.

By God, shame on Saudi Arabia; it is a Gulf Arab country that calls for goodness and straightforwardness and invites all Muslims to come to it to visit God’s sacred house to perform the rituals of pilgrimage, while it is currently witnessing a terrible increase in prices during the honorable and blessed month of Ramadan, as if Saudi Arabia weren’t aware that this month brings goodness with it. On the other hand, when it comes to those who come to Saudi Arabia, they can’t feel completely comfortable, because prices are constantly increasing, and they want to know what the reason is and whether or not they can come to the kingdom. Of course they can’t, because if these prices remain the same in Saudi Arabia, it will become an isolated country that nobody will visit. Where are the officials in regards to this shame that is now taking place in the country? Citizens have gotten tired of the obvious increases in prices.

What is happening in the Arab countries, which are all witnessing a great increase in prices in the honorable month of Ramadan? Is it an agreement or an exploitation of the honorable month of Ramadan to increase their profits? Arab Muslim citizens need to be supported, not exploited, and need things to be made easier for them, especially after the recent period that witnessed many disturbances, chaos and instability, in addition to revolutions breaking out against the governments that offer nothing to the Arab people. Who is responsible for everything that is going on? Is it the government, the tradesmen, the shop owners or the weak, poor citizens, who cannot help but complain to God? I expected prices to increase in Ramadan in all countries except for Saudi Arabia; what is going on in Saudi Arabia? What is the reason behind this great increase in prices, which has greatly harmed Saudi citizens? I know that the month of Ramadan is a month of giving, generosity and charity, which means that prices should be reduced, so that citizens could get their needs without feeling any disturbance or feeling that they are bearing a big responsibility upon their shoulders, represented in the responsibility of providing food items for their family members. However, what is happening today is the complete opposite, as citizens have become confused. What is going on and why are people being exploited? What is the reason behind all this greed and avarice, especially in the honorable month of Ramadan when Arab Muslims citizens are being exploited? Arab countries need to calm down, so as not to have new revolutions.

The basic food items, whose prices rose significantly more than other goods, are meat, fish and raw materials used in the manufacture of sweets and other things. This has a negative impact on citizens, particularly those foreigners who are living in the Kingdom. In fact, in any country, there is an underprivileged and poor social class of people who can hardly earn their daily living, no matter how wealthy the country is. This price increase contributed to depriving many citizens of getting such goods, unlike in Bahrain, which has reduced the prices of food products in order to ensure that all citizens can afford to buy them, because Ramadan is the month of goodness. Thus, everyone must work together to set the example for other countries that are witnessing a significant price increase on raw materials, namely Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, the KSA and the other Arab countries.

Ramadan is the month of goodness and blessing for Muslims. Fasting is the best remedy for many illnesses, such as high blood pressure, fatty heart and blood clotting. Moreover, it is among the Prophet’s Sunnah that helps the stomach to rest after a long year of work. It also gets rid of the wastes. In addition, Ramadan is the month of God and rewards are doubled. In this month, there is a night better than thousands of nights, which is the night of Destiny, al-Qadr. Moreover, the holy Quran was revealed in this holy month. The messenger of God, peace be upon him, rejoiced at the coming of Ramadan. He was the most generous person; he also used to order people to read the holy Quran, because on Doomsday it will save people. He also said that all those who fast one day for the sake of God will be away from Hell seventy years. He also said that there is a door in paradise called “Rayan,” designed for the fasting to enter Paradise. He also ordered Muslims to donate in this holy month and help the poor, because they deserve love and affection. The divine wisdom made them in need for help and support, so it is necessary to assist them with the livelihood of God. It is said that when the prophet Joseph, peace be upon him, was responsible for the storehouses of earth, when he became hungry, he ate barley bread. So he was asked why he ate that when he was responsible for all the storehouses on earth. He said that he was afraid that he would eat his fill and forget about all the hungry people. In this way, all people will have the same feelings of starvation and slavery when they become hungry. When a person just eats in order not to be hungry and drinks just not to be thirsty and saves his life, then he will feel and understand the pain and suffering of others. In addition, fasting will teach people how to be patient, courageous, faithful, determined and strong-willed. Added to this, fasting has great rewards known only by Almighty God. Therefore, mosques in Iraq should organize religious meetings in order to clarify these human values needed by society during this holy month. Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is deliverance from hell.

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a considerable and excessive price increase during and particularly because of the coming of the holy month of Ramadan. Thus, I believe that the increase in looting Saudis’ purses and money, given that prices have made a crazy leap by more than half, has exhausted all Saudi citizens, especially since the Kingdom hosts a great number of fasting people and pilgrims from all over the world. The latter come to the KSA and Mecca to spend Ramadan. All these issues contribute to raising the prices, because of the exploitation and greed of merchants there, who want to earn more money and make illegal profits. In fact, this increase annoys Saudi citizens a great deal, and the government must find a solution, because the holy month of Ramadan has unfortunately become an opportunity for many greedy merchants to manipulate and raise prices to an incredible level. In fact, they take advantage of the fact that all families go out shopping to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan. Thus, instead of reducing prices to enable everyone to purchase all food products and other famous Ramadan requirements, merchants care only about making profits.