A deadline by Jay Garcia "We are involved in an immoral and unjust war, according to God's principles. "- Reverend Imamuhammad Karoub "There has not ban any talk about any cessation or slowdown of military operations during Ramadan."- U.S. Department of Defense As the Persian Gulf War continues, there is growing worry that it will not be over by March 17, when Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, begins. The United States government has suggested the war would be over soon, but uncertainty about its length is mounting. Ramadan's traditional fasting and prayer are believed to bring atonement for the sins of the past year, and the self-control that is inherent in Ramadan is also believed to be a test of a Muslim's true faith. Muslims all over the world, even of differing sects, celebrate Ramadan, a time when problems are cast aside. "The Muslims get together during this holy month.They join together especially this time. They feel more closely than at any other month," describes Mohamad Fauzi, member of a mosque in Dearborn. "We'll have more prayers for peace, for the end of killing of innocent people," 0 he said of this year's Ramadan. "Mostly innocent people die from this war." The Department of Defense has said the fighting will not cease during Ramadan. Many believe that by continuing the war into Ramadan, the U.S. would be seriously jeopardizing the unity of the coalition. Fauzi said he could not predict whether the war would last through Ramadan but told of an anti-war sentiment at his mosque. "As Muslims, we are against the war. We think it should stop right now. Whether it will stay until Ramadan, only Allah knows. I don't want to see the war anytime, especially during Ramadan." Reverend Imamuhammad Karoub, religious director of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in'the United States and Canada, defines Ramadan as a time of repentance, not warfare. "You can start a new page in your life. It's a sacred month. There should be no fighting. The Muslim person must stop fighting," Karoub said. Karoub predicts the loss of support on the part of Islamic countries and most Arab nations if the war continues through Ramadan. Like Fauzi, Karoub discussed the anti-war solidarity of common people in most Arab countries, but admitted it was not yet strong enough to produce change. "In the Arab world there for thi is already protest of U.S. intervention," noted Karoub, but "they cannot do much against the greatest power on the earth." Karoub said there could be a moral outcry should bombs fall on fasting Muslims. He also expressed his hope that the war would end immediately. "Most Islamic people would deplore the bombing of Muslim Iraqi people, especially if they were fasting. I hope that they will call a cease- fire long before Ramadan because the lives of humans are sacred. All people are brothers and sisters," he said. Department of Defense spokesperson Howard Hick said that Ramadan would not affect the United State's war effort against Iraq. "At this juncture I don't see 'At this juncture I don't see that the war will be over by Ramadan. We're not in a position to say [the war] will be over. There is no pause which is planned.' - Howard Hick, Defense Department spokesperson that the war will be over by Ramadan. We're not in a position to say [the war] will be over. There is no pause which is planned. If the Iraqis pulled out of Kuwait, it would be over at that point," Hick said. The Defense Department is aware of the approaching holy Islamic month, Hick said, though he would not say what might happen with the Islamic of 17 million, so they feel intimidated by their neighbor and are willing to continue the fight if it will ensure their safety. "I don't dispute the very important role religion plays, especially in the Middle East," said Cole, who also noted military by Jennifer Knoll In 1990, more than 200,000 immigrants from the Soviet Union, Ethiopia and Eastern Europe came to Israel to start a new life. This is part of an ongoing process which is one of the largest waves of migration in history. Israel's government and people have been working terribly hard to absorb this enormous wave of immigrants into Israeli society. Israeli law permits all Jews who emigrate to Israel to become citizens instantly. Israel provides "rights," special benefits given to new citizens, such as a monthly stipend, free rent, free university education, and other subsidies Israel has produced just the opposite reaction. Israelis are literally welcoming these people with open arms. In December, I was lucky enough to be at the airport in Israel when a plane full of Soviet Jews arrived. Hundreds of Israelis, many of them carrying flowers, were at the airport to welcome these immigrants to Israel. The Soviets disembarked from the plane to the sound of people singing Israeli peace songs. Many of us on the ground cried as we sang, trying to imagine what it must be like to be an oppressed Jew in another nation finally gaining full citizenship in Israel. It was definitely one of the most moving experiences of my life. Allies? A Passage to Israel AP PHOTO The braintrust which directs the war against Iraq. From left to right: Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Colin Powell, President George Bush, and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney. Vice president Dan Quayle is also included in the photo. These leaders have not discussed it, but they may have reason to be worried if the war is not over by March 17. US S.R.KAZAKH EUROPE ::r.._. Bkt*~Armenian' ''::;^S S