The Holy Month of Ramadan is here!
It is the most important period of the year for the more than 1 billion followers of Islam. The month is marked by acts of prayer and penance and culminates with the joyous celebration of Hari Raya Puasa or Eid-ul-Fitr. Iftar parties, congregational prayers and meet-ups with loved ones all add colour to the beauty of Hari Raya Puasa and the month of Ramadan.
But this year things are going to be different. What is the reason? Yes, you guessed it – the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the month of Ramadan begins on the 23rd of April, let us take a look at its significance as well as the ways in which things will be different this year.
The significance
The Islamic world follows a lunar calendar for all religious matters. The month of Ramadan is the 9th month of this calendar. What is its significance? It is believed that during this month the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet remained in meditation during this period in a cave outside the Holy City of Mecca.
Ramadan is the month of fasting. Followers do not take food while the sun is up, i.e from dawn to dusk. Fasting must be accompanied by a willingness to fast and do penance. After dusk, the followers take a meal called the Iftar.
A special prayer called the Tarawih is conducted in mosques during this month. On the last night of Ramadan, additional special prayers are also held. In all these prayers that are conducted during this Holy Month, the importance of community gathering is stressed. But with nations across the globe stressing upon “social distancing” due to the outbreak of COVID-19, things are going to be different this time around!
Ramadan Bazaars
A number of bazaars spring up during the month of Ramadan in order to cater to the needs of Muslims who partake in the religious fasting. These bazaars sell a variety of foodstuff and other essentials for Iftars and other aspects related to the Holy Month. Towards the end of the month, people also flock these bazaars for festive shopping in order to get hold of stuff for their Hari Raya Puasa celebrations.
COVID-19 has made evident that there is nothing more important than love and family. It has taught us the true value of life.
Many of us are at the moment spending a lot more time with our families. We have learned that whatever happens, we need to make time for the people whom we care about
Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa in 2020
But this isn’t any normal year, is it? Across the globe, a large number of people are unable to even step out of their homes. The COVID-19 pandemic has (as we all know it too well) brought life to a standstill. Ramadan this year will be different. Saudi Arabia, the nation which houses two of Islam’s most important religious sites – the Mecca and Medina – has advised that the Tariwah prayers and other prayers should be held at home. Many nations have put in place similar provisions. Singapore is currently under circuit breaker measures and group prayers in mosques, as well as Ramadan bazaars, have been called off.
Going online
Many people had already stocked up on various commodities to set up stalls at the Ramadan bazaars. Thankfully, a number of online platforms have taken up the task of marketing and selling these items. Online platforms both new and old have been gearing up to connect fasting Muslims with the sellers of Iftar and other Ramadan-related commodities. These platforms and websites which include B.Halal, GeylangBazaar. online and Gobaza ensure that the followers receive all that they require for the Holy Month without having to go out of their homes.
The month of Ramadan will be different this year. But the faith of the followers and the message of love that it spreads will be the same. May the prayers and penance that go up during this month help us strengthen our hope and resolve to fight the ongoing pandemic.
Ramadan Kareem!
How to maximize this Ramadan during COVID-19?
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