KHARTOUM, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The war between Sudan's military and paramilitary forces has cast a shadow over the holy month of Ramadan, disrupting a cherished tradition of community meals shared on the streets.

       For generations, Sudanese families have observed "Al-Dhara," a custom where residents set out tables laden with food, inviting neighbors and passersby to break their fast together. The word "Al-Dhara" itself translates to "support" or "protection," reflecting the spirit of solidarity and social connection fostered by these gatherings.

       But this year, the sounds of gunfire and shelling have replaced the festive atmosphere that once accompanied these street Iftars, the evening meal marking the end of the daily Ramadan fast.

       "We miss the street Iftar," said Saif-Eddin Al-Sanussi, a resident of Khartoum's Al-Ingaz neighborhood. "Because of the war, we have the Ramadan meal inside our houses."

       Al-Sanussi described Al-Dhara as a cornerstone of Ramadan in Sudan, intricately linked to the country's social fabric. He pointed to the current security situation, rife with air raids and random shootings, as a deterrent to public gatherings.

       In response, some communities are adapting to the new condition by holding joint Iftars inside private homes. "We're trying our best to gather indoors and revive the tradition of collective Iftar," said Khalil Bushara from Al-Azhari neighborhood.

       While acknowledging the limitations, Bushara emphasized their desire to maintain a semblance of normalcy. "The war has forced us to move our Ramadan gatherings indoors," he said. "Public areas are simply unsafe."

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       The war's impact extends beyond the disappearance of Al-Dhara. Soaring food prices and shortages have forced many families to scale back their Ramadan feasts. Traditional staples like Asida porridge and Hulu-murr, a sorghum-based drink, remain on tables, but other items have become luxuries.

       "The war has affected every aspect of life in Sudan," said Abdalla Sheikh Idris, a Sudanese heritage researcher, adding that the loss of Al-Dhara represents a significant blow to the cultural heritage of Ramadan in this country.

       Idris blames the economic hardship caused by the conflict for the decline in elaborate street Iftars. "Even necessities are out of reach for many," he said. "The price of meat has doubled, and imported drinks are unavailable due to import restrictions."

       The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced millions internally and claimed thousands of lives. The disruption of Al-Dhara stands as a stark symbol of the war's toll on Sudanese society, straining not just livelihoods but also the very fabric of its traditions.