Observation of Ramadan and Eid during the coronavirus pandemic

Fasting takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar known as Ramadan. This year Ramadan will fall around 23/24 April 2020, lasting until 23/24 May 2020.

The purpose of Ramadan is that by fulfilling the sacred commandments a person will attain nearness and closeness to God. They will also experience and appreciate what it is like to go for long periods without food, like those who are less fortunate than them.

Additionally, fasting is food for the soul, it provides the soul with sustenance and elevation. It is the one act that has an unknown special reward with God. It is a month where it is encouraged to be charitable and excessively generous. 

The month is split into three parts with the beginning being a means of mercy, the middle as forgiveness and the end as emancipation from the fire (of hell).

It is also known as the month of the Qur’an as it is when the Quranic revelation started. It was during the "Night of Destiny", Laylat al Qadr, that the Qur'an began to be communicated to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him, his family and his companions).

Muslims also follow the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him, his family and his companions) by practicing I’tikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan. This is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of stay in a mosque for a certain number of days, devoting oneself to worship and staying away from worldly affairs.

Muslims abstain from consuming any food or drink from the beginning of dawn until sunset on each individual day over this month. 

They spend the night praying, with a special night time prayer usually in congregation. This is known as the ‘Tarawih’ prayer. It is specifically for the month of Ramadan, where the mosques will ensure that the whole Qur’an is completed by the end of the month. Most Mosques aim to complete this by the 27th night and have a night of prayer activities organised.

The days are spent fasting and the nights are spent praying. The evening meal known as 'iftar' is usually spent eating together with families and friends. It is a time of community and family spirit with mosques opening their doors to people of other faiths to come and enjoy a meal with their Muslim brethren. 

At the end of Ramadan, all Muslims observe the festival of Eid ul Fitr with their families and communities.

This year due to the pandemic the mosques are expecting to be closed and extended families and friends will not be able to get together to break their fast.

The ambience and community feel will be missing; however, it is seen as an opportunity to turn to God in remorse and ask for healing and removal of this virus. It is also seen as an additional opportunity to truly focus on the spirit of fasting without the excessive meals and to help those vulnerable by providing aid when they have no-one to help.