The high price of food has been attributed as one of the underlying causes of unrest that launched the reform movements of the Arab Spring. As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins and unrest continues in much of the Middle East and North Africa, the price of food may figure into the campaigns for reform in countries like Egypt.
“Ramadan falls this year during the scorching summer, when tempers already running hot could easily boil over, especially as Egyptians complain about the continued rise in food prices and the general economic malaise after the uprising. Food prices typically spike during Ramadan, and the extravagant dinners many put on to break the daily fast drive a deep hole in household budgets.”
Also, read about how the reform campaigns in Jordan and Qatar might use unrest over food prices during Ramadan to their advantage in this MSNBC report.
Posted by Michael Lucivero.
Photo credit: Alrroya.com
