Ramadan and Iftar Amidst Covid-19
Ramadan 2020
By: Amana Tashfeen/Arab America Contributing Writer
The month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims all around the world. It serves to be a time of spiritual cleansing and reflection. During this month, Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn to sunset and abstain from not only food and water but also anything that may lead to wrongdoing such as back-biting. Along with religious obligations, Ramadan is surrounded by great cultural and Islamic traditions in which Muslims are eager to revisit every year. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of Covid-19, Muslims and everyone are forced to adjust to this new normal. Today they are finding and creating new ways to approach these traditions while respecting the rules of social distancing.
Taraweeh Prayer
Taraweeh prayer is known to be one of the most significant practices during the holy month of Ramadan. These congregational prayers are most commonly held at the Mosque after Isha, the evening prayer. Taraweeh is also an optional prayer and is held every night during the month of Ramadan. Generally, Taraweeh prayers in the Mosque are not only a spiritual benefit but served as a means to bring the community together and connect during these Ramadan nights. With 50-100+ people participating in these prayers at each mosque site, Taraweeh is an essential aspect of this Holy Month.
The new stay-at-home orders have imposed a challenge amongst the Muslim community. Because of Covid-19 challenges, Muslims are now adjusting to performing this prayer at home with their own families. Although this concept of praying at home is not new, many people will be experiencing this for the first time in 2020. The feeling of Taraweeh at the musjid could never be replaced. However, Muslims are now learning to enjoy this peaceful and spiritual time at home with their families. With an average household size of 5, Taraweeh prayers have grown to become convenient for Arabs. Larger families praying Taraweeh together during this difficult time can serve as a means of connectivity and unity amongst their family members.
Iftaar
Breaking fast during Ramadan amidst the challenges of Covid-19 has undoubtedly served to be a new experience for Muslims. Usually, many Muslims look forward to the large family gatherings and the various iftar held by friends throughout the month. This year, they are obligated to abstain from these exciting large gatherings in efforts to obey the social distancing rule. It may be a smaller gathering than usual, but Muslims are making the most of this particular time with their family. This has opened up more opportunities for families to cook and eat together during these difficult months and a way to spend some quality time with each other.
Zoom in Ramadan
Using Zoom to do iftars is a new concept that has also grown to become popular during this holy month. Zoom is known as a video conferencing webinar that has received a lot of attention through Covid-19. Many schools are using Zoom as a way to stay connected with their students and continuing teaching. Although many people are unable to spend Ramadan with their friends at the Masjid for Iftar gatherings, Muslims have found a way to adjust to this: Hosting Iftar with friends and long-distance families on a Zoom call. It has served as an alternative way for Muslims to stay connected and continue Ramadan traditions despite the new challenges.
Many Muslim-based organizations such as Muslim Tent Project, a United Kingdom-based project aimed to aid the issues facing the Muslim community, take the initiative in hosting a virtual communal iftar. In fact, this Iftar will serve as UK’s largest event this Ramadan. In efforts to gather together the Muslim Ummah during these difficult times, this organization wants to take advantage of this international Zoom call to reflect and re-connect with their brothers and sisters. Muslim Tent Project has made this a free and open event. Also, it streams Lives on Facebook for those who can’t connect to Zoom. Through Facebook Live for those who are unable to connect to Zoom. The event is geared to be a more realistic Iftar for the community so that they can feel a sense of normality amidst the horrors of COVID-19. With guest speakers, a live call to prayer (Adhaan), and an opportunity for families to share their personal experiences this Ramadan.
Lectures and seminars
These new conditions have also posed a challenge for Muslims who would attend various lectures and classes through Ramadan in hopes of building a stronger relationship with their religion. Now, many religious scholars are also taking advantage of Zoom to bring together their audience and gain knowledge through lectures and seminars. Teachers such as Yasmin Mogahed, an American-Egyptian Muslim scholar in the United States, has hosted and been part of many virtual seminars. They are held throughout Ramadan as an aim for members of the Muslim community to still be able to grasp insight and knowledge on Islam during these tough times. While understanding the unique circumstances of Ramadan amidst a global pandemic, Yasmin uses her free streamings as an open platform for Muslims to stay engaged on topics in Islam and engage through their questions and own personal insight. In fact, these virtual meetings may be the new normal for the next few months and will likely continue after Ramadan. It is easy and efficient for individuals to attend these classes from the comfort of their own home, especially for those working to balance their work/school life with their spiritual life during Ramadan.
Amidst the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, Muslims are given the opportunity to take advantage of the free time to grow spiritually as well as spend time with family. Surely, these challenges are coming in between centuries worth of cultural and religious traditions; however, as the month proceeds, Muslims are learning to integrate into the situation and create new traditions of their own.
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