Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: The Overseas Safety Division of Japan’s Foreign Ministry has warned about “the possibility of increased terrorism” in the Middle East during Ramadan. It told Japanese citizens residing in or visiting the region to pay close attention to ensure their safety, especially near places where Friday prayers are held. 

“During and around Ramadan, the threat of terrorism tends to increase every year,” Saturday’s Travel Safety Update said without elaborating as to the source of this information.

The warning cited the Daesh statements last year calling for attacks by its fighters and supporters around the world and said many terrorist attacks occurred globally but without clear data. The Ministry also warned against increased terrorism in Ramadan due to tensions that have been rising following the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since October.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry warning was not only for Ramadan but even extended to the festival at the end of Ramadan—Eid al-Fitr—covering a time period from around March 11 to April 12.The Ministry advised, “The threat of terrorism tends to increase during and around this period,” a statement that, according to analysts in Tokyo, spread an image of fear of the Eid festival among Japanese travelers.

Friday in Muslim countries was also a day to fear, the Japanese Foreign Ministry warned. “Be especially careful on Fridays. Friday is a day of collective prayer for Muslims, and on such occasions, terrorist attacks targeting religious facilities such as mosques and crowds are sometimes carried out. During Ramadan and Eid this year, Fridays fall on March 15, 22, 29, and April 5 and 12,” according to the statement.

The Foreign Ministry’s Safety Division gave further detailed instructions to Japanese citizens on how to protect themselves from “the danger of terrorism” in Muslim countries during Ramadans, Eid festivals and on Fridays. “Be fully aware that the following locations are easy targets for terrorism: Tourist facilities and their surroundings, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, supermarkets, nightclubs, movie theaters, facilities where many people gather such as public transportation, religious facilities such as churches, mosques, synagogues, government-related facilities (especially military, police, security-related facilities), etc.”

The Foreign Ministry even advised citizens not to go to check on the situation after a presumed terror attack, as the explosion may occur multiple times.

The terrorism in Muslim countries imagined by the Japanese Foreign Ministry during Ramadan and Eid might also involve the use of knives, for which Japanese people are advised to “keep your distance from the perpetrator” and then “to use objects around you to protect yourself.”

The category of “indoor terrorism” was also on the list of dangers facing the Japanese in Muslim countries during Ramadan, Eid and Fridays. “Indoors or at event venues, airports, etc., be sure to carefully check entrances and exits, emergency exits, evacuation routes, etc., in advance, keeping in mind that unforeseen situations may occur.”

Arab and Muslim diplomatic sources in Tokyo expressed deep concern with the negative image the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Safety Division warning conveys about their countries and the religion of Islam.