For the second time, Muslims around the globe will observe the Holy month of Ramadan in a Pandemic. Last year’s Ramadan started on the 25th of April 2020, which was too, practiced by Muslims when the Corona Virus was spreading at a really fast pace. Muslims were quite disturbed with the restrictions as daily tasks such as praying or even breaking their fasts became challenging.
The Holy month of Ramadan isn’t just about fasting from dawn to dusk and praying, it’s also where family gatherings take place, and the wealthy provide food and clothes to the poor.
Around the world, people used to gather and do meet-ups during Suhoor and Iftaar hours. People used to pray 5 times a day in mosques which was all restricted during the Pandemic. This disrupted the Muslim committee as most Ramadan celebrations were seemed to be getting canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
This year, as restrictions have eased, People can be seen attending mosques for their daily prayers and Taraweeh prayers following all the guidelines to stay safe from the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Gatherings can be seen during both Suhoor and Iftaar hours as restaurants are now allowed to operate as normal and have started to serve food to their customers, still, keeping the guidelines in mind.
People across the world, when asked, stated that this year’s Ramadan is seemingly much better than last year’s since the restrictions have been eased almost everywhere.
But researchers and doctors say otherwise. Officials urge people to not stop following the precautionary measures, keep a 6 feet distance in mosques, and not skip the use of masks. As the slightest of carelessness could cause the virus to spread again as new mutants of the virus have been recently discovered which are fast-spreading and have been given the term “much stickier than before”.
Mosques also took the Pandemic into consideration as the authorities have cut down the number of visitors to the mosque by 30%, Also, the use of masks has been made mandatory. To prevent gatherings outside mosques, Authorities have banned people from building tents outside the mosques which were used to share meals between the people who fast during the Holy Month.
Even though people are quite optimistic about this year’s Ramadan being better than last year’s, A new wave of the mutant Corona Virus has set its steps around the world which has caused worry among the Muslim population, spreading at a higher pace and can rapidly cause severe health issues.
Authorities around Middle-east and other countries have made it mandatory for worshippers to be vaccinated before entering mosques, a 6 feet distance between each person and the use of masks and sanitizers have been made an absolute requirement.
The vaccinations have begun rolling out, so people are hopeful and confident that this virus will no longer affect us and people will become immune to it. And soon enough, Everything will be back to normal.