BAGHDAD, November 24 (IslamOnline.net) - The U.S.-led occupation in Iraq has cast its pall over this year's Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, as Iraqis will stay home due to the exacerbating security and economic situation in the chaos-mired country.

Traditionally, Iraqis used to celebrate the feast by visiting relatives, going out and eating the delicious Kahk, biscuits sprinkled with icing sugar.

Sunni religious scholars in Iraq said Sunday, November 23, that Eid al-Fitr would fall Monday, one day ahead of the Shiites, after sighting the new moon in the northern regions of Samarra, Mosul and west of Baghdad.

"What Eid are you talking about, while we sleep at the sound of war jets and wake up at the sound of exploding missiles," Sayeed al-Hamdani, a government employee, told IslamOnline.net.

"How can we rejoice (during Eid) when our dignity and honor are downtrodden by the occupation forces."

"And where is the money to buy new clothes for my sons. I have not got my salary for three months now and can no longer provide for my family. Is this the welfare promised by U.S. President George W. Bush?" He wondered.

Rajab Elwan, a merchant, hit out the mind-boggling prices in Iraq, while the people are now living below the poverty line, reminding with sorrow the good old days.

"God damn the occupation which dashed our happiness during Ramadan and Eid…Meat is sold now at 7,000 dinars per kilo ($3.5), while the Iraqi meat is smuggled out of the country under the watchful eye of the occupation and Iraqi officials," he added.

"Most of the families will stay home during this year's Eid due to the deteriorating security situation in the country and the myriad of U.S. checkpoints and barbed wires."

Sheikh Hamid al-Sameraai, the imam of al-Taqwa mosque in Baghdad, said it is breaking his heart to see his country during Eid occupied and his people humiliated.

"It amazes me really those people who tirelessly urge the occupation to stay on on this sacred country," he said.

"We pray that God will help us act in concert, inflict on the U.S.-led occupation a complete rout and regain our independence and autonomy."

Somia al-Bakri, a former headmaster, said she will keep her children at home, fearing that they might be kidnapped or killed in the indiscriminate car bombings and U.S. fire.

"I am preoccupied with the safety of my children…We cannot now go out as U.S. forces open fire randomly at Iraqis…We will only celebrate Eid after those invaders leave our country," she said.

Separately, a Sunni Muslim leader called Monday for a week-long ceasefire in Iraq to allow peaceful celebration of the Eid al-Fitr, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"I call on the resistance to suspend operations this week so that Iraqis can live in peace, without the blast of explosives, bombs and shooting," said Adnan al-Dulaimi, head of Iraq's Sunni religious administration or Waqf.

"I ask also the occupation forces not to deal with Iraqis as terrorists. We are peaceful, apostles of peace and not evil," he said in an Eid sermon at Baghdad's Oum al-Qora mosque.

Dulaimi also urged the U.S.-led occupation to free detainees and prisoners "apart from those proven to have carried out criminal acts."

"I ask (the Americans) to bring joy to the hearts of Iraqis, to stop the searches of homes and the hunt for Iraqis so that they can live this week in peace and quiet."

"I call on everyone to observe a ceasefire."

The Sunnis largely reside in the north and the west, where the anti-U.S. resistance has been the most ferocious.