The festival has begun, but the festivity is missing. As the world struggles to check the spread of Covid-19, the Muslim dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramzan began in various parts of the globe past weekend on a subdued note. The usual hustle and bustle witnessed during this holiest month in Islam has been replaced with lockdown in most countries in their bid to contain the spread of the pandemic. The never seen before circumstances have reduced the festival to merely a family affair, which otherwise is marked by mass prayers and large gatherings every evening to share iftar.
While Muslims in each of the affected countries are adopting to the modified celebrations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the most notable change is being seen at Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina.
The Saudi Arabian government has, in a rare occurrence, closed down al-Masjid al-Haram (The Great Mosque) in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina for Ramzan. The move, taken for the first time in modern history, reflects both the severity of the deadly pandemic and the resolve to fight it.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), King Salman issued an order to partially lift the curfew in all regions of the kingdom from 9 am to 5 pm until May 13. The royal order, however, continued with the 24-hour curfew in Mecca and in neighbourhoods previously put in isolation.
The country also allowed some commercial and economic activities, indulging in wholesale and retail stores, and shopping centers and malls, to reopen until May 13. These exemptions are in addition to the excluded activities mentioned in its previous orders.
The royal order emphasized a continuation of preventing any activity in those centres that do not implement social distancing, including beauty clinics, barber salons, sports and health clubs, recreational centers, cinemas, beauty salons, restaurants, cafes and other activities determined by the relevant authorities, SPA reported.
Even as the Saudi authorities have eased restrictions in parts of the country, emptiness continues to surround the sacred Kaaba at the Grand Mosque which otherwise remained abuzz throughout the year. Reports also suggest that the larger annual hajj pilgrimage, scheduled for July, could also be cancelled for the first time in recent history as Saudi Arabia has already appealed to Muslims to defer preparations.
The picture is no different elsewhere in the world.
In India, political as well as religious leaders have appealed to Muslims to offer Ramzan namaz at home in view of the nationwide lockdown in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In a video message, the shahi imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari urged people not to venture outside unnecessarily, saying Namaz and Tarabi (ritual prayer) should be offered at home. Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said those who are under quarantine and unable to observe fast can do so later on through 'Qaza'.
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave in to a mounting pressure from hardline clerics and allowed conditional congregational prayers in mosques during Ramzan. The move came amid opposition from the country's doctors and nationwide lockdown in place till May 9.
In the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, the pandemic has not only dampened the festivities but also taken a toll on businesses, which bloom during month-long Ramzan.
According to reports, mosques in Indonesia's deeply conservative Aceh province were packed after its top clerical body ruled that it is not a “red zone” area and that prayers could continue. The province is governed by Islamic law under an autonomy agreement. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, have banned popular Ramzan bazaars which are a key source of income for many small traders, some of whom have shifted their businesses online.
