16 October 2004	Saturday	01 Ramazan 1425

CAIRO, Oct 15: Muslims across the world marked the first day of Ramazan on Friday, clouded by continuing violence in Iraq and the Palestinian territories and fears that it might spread to other countries.

Libya and Nigeria took the lead by kicking off the holiest month in the Muslim calendar on Thursday. Most of the Middle East and the rest of Africa followed on Friday. Countries in South and Southeast Asia will begin the month on Saturday.

Yet for many in the troubled Middle East, what is supposed to be a holy time, dedicated to introspection and piety, was over shdaowed by a desperate struggle for survival.

Iraq continued to be gripped by the violence that has claimed the lives of around 15,000 Iraqis, according to most estimates, and more than 1,000 US soldiers. After almost 50 people were killed in Baghdad on the first day of Ramazan last year, there was so sign that this year would be more peaceful.

In east Jerusalem, around 90,000 people were estimated to have joined the first Friday prayers of Ramazan at the Al Aqsa mosque. In Saudi Arabia, authorities geared up to receive some three million Umra pilgrims from abroad in the course of the holy month, according to the pilgrimage ministry.

The Saudi government, stung by a wave of attacks by militants, is taking no chances, deploying an estimated 3,000 policemen to provide security in Makkah. On a rare positive note, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo marked the start of Ramazan by saying the government was close to reaching a peaceful settlement with Muslim rebels in the country's south.

In Kashmir, the holy month was seen as a chance to drive home a reconciliation message as peace talks continued between Pakistan and India. In Indonesia, the most populated Muslim country in the world, worshippers were preparing to enter Ramazan with the spectre of violence still omnipresent two years after bombings in Bali killed 202 people. -AFP