Bahrain families 'need help coping with Ramadan and start of school term'

Manama: An Islamist MP is leading calls for financial assistance from the government to help families face the expenses inexorably associated with the start of Ramadan and the new academic year.

"Several families are deeply worried because of their inability to provide what is required by both events, and the government has a duty to help alleviate their pain and concerns," Abdul Halim Murad, representing the Al Asala Society in the lower house, said on Sunday.

"The joyful occasions that Muslims fervently anticipate and families excitedly await are turning into nightmares, and the difficult living conditions and the coincidence of the two events have compounded people's worries," he said.

Ramadan is expected to start on September 1, while more than 130,000 people out of a native population of around 550,000 will go back to school and university in the first two weeks of next month.

Ramadan in Bahrain, like in most Arab countries, is often associated with a high increase in consumption, prompting traders to take advantage of the increase in demand and hike the prices of several commodities.

Struggling

But for Murad, the government should take advantage of its greater financial assets to help needy families.

"There is a lot of extra cash in the country following the impressive increase in the price of oil and this should be used partly to improve people's living conditions," he said. "The list of people who deserve to be assisted financially, drawn up by the competent ministry, is now more comprehensive and should be used as the database to distribute the assistance."

Government officials have repeatedly said they will ensure traders will not exploit the new academic year or Ramadan to increase prices.

"We appreciate the pledges. The prices are already through the roof because of the inflation hitting the world, and even though there are efforts from the government and business people to confine its negative effects, we are struggling," said Ahmad Al Dossari, an office clerk.