The five pillars of Islam are: The Shahadah, which is stating the belief in one God and his prophet Mohamed. Second is the Zakat; this is charity given to the needy required by every Muslim who is able to give. Al-Haj the third pillar of Islam is the journey to Mecca, Al-Madeena and then Jerusalem. The forth and fifth pillars are Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan and Praying five times a day while facing Mecca.

The holy month of Ramadan has a special meaning for Muslims in Jerusalem and all over the world. Al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest mosque for the nation of Islam. The sensitivity of Muslims towards the holy mosque was evident on September 29th, 2000 when Sharon ignited the Intifada by his incursion into the holy site and provoking Palestinian national and spiritual sentiments. Al-Aqsa is where the Intifada started, and some measures of goodwill during this holy month might serve as the start of peace in the region.

On the first Friday of the holy month many Palestinian Muslims headed to the Al-Aqsa mosque for worship but only a few were able to get there. The mosque normally hosting 100-150 thousand worshipers during Ramadan had only 30 thousand this Friday. The Israeli Army had deployed thousands of troops surrounding the holy city and added dozens of checkpoints for this day's event. The trip from Ramallah to Jerusalem meant passing through six checkpoints spread out over a 14-kilometer long road (7miles). While the vast majority of people were turned back, the ones who managed to make it to Jerusalem had to change transportation and walk on foot, spending hours on the wet road.

The city of Jerusalem was turned into a military zone. Policemen on their tall horses and Israeli soldiers placed at every gate at the old city in a provocative manner were visible expressions of control and intimidation. Young men under the age of forty were denied access to the old city of Jerusalem, even those who held a Jerusalem ID. To add to the humiliation, an additional checkpoint was erected at the entrances to the mosque where people were required to leave their ID cards and collect them on their way out.

If Sharon succeeded in igniting hostilities at Al-Aqsa mosque, he would do well to grasp the opportunity of putting out the flames by showing a minimal amount of goodwill. This holy month provides an opportunity to redress by demonstrating respect for the people fasting and by lifting the siege and other forms of restrictions imposed on the Palestinians. Would it be too much to hope that the spirit of Ramadan, of sacrifice, of humility and humanity, of generosity and self-denial, could temper the brutality of Israel's military occupation?

This winter could bring the promise of peace, if the winter of occupation gives way to the spring of freedom.