Palestinian Authority bans public eating during Ramadan

Palestinian security forces have been ordered to "act against anyone who breaks the fast in public," by the highest religious official in the Palestinian Authority during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to WAFA, the official Palestinian Authority news agency.The highest religious official in the Palestinian Authority, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Muhammed Hussein, called on the Palestinian people in late May, ahead of the holy month, to "preserve the month's sanctity," and for Palestinian Authority security forces to take action against those eating in public "in preparation for legal steps against them," in order to ensure compliance. The Grand Mufti also called on "the owners of restaurants and cafes to close" during daytime hours. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are forbidden to eat and drink from dawn until sunset. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims.The District Governor of Jenin, Ibrahim Ramadan, issued a similar ban on public eating. "It is absolutely forbidden to harm the sanctity of the honorable month by eating and drinking in public," he announced.The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began May 26 and concludes June 24.