Eid in the times of Covid: How Coronavirus impacted Ramadan and Eid for Muslims around the globe

Ask any Muslim how they really feel about Ramadan and Eid, and regardless of their stage of piety, their faces will mild up they usually will provide you with particulars of all their Ramadan reminiscences with the joy of a kid. Because Ramadan is much more than simply the holiest time for Muslims, it’s true we bow our heads to Allah much more throughout this month, we recite the Quran which is sadly typically left unread for many of the yr, however we additionally attempt to grow to be kinder, extra compassionate and charitable, selfless, much less indignant and we do our greatest to stray away from gossip and negativity. So one factor all Muslims have mentioned to me after I ask them about their Ramzan is, “I feel so calm and at peace as if I’m doing what I was always supposed to.” They inform me how they’ll deal with their life, occupation and relationships rather a lot higher throughout Ramadan, as a result of they attempt to see issues from others’ views and let go of issues which they wouldn’t in any other case, how they really feel proud to starve all day even once they should work lengthy hours, and the way that first sip of water makes them really feel so grateful but in addition nervous for his or her Muslim brothers and sisters who could not have as a lot as they do.

Ramadan, is actually a lovely time, it’s such a spiritually encapsulating expertise, that for these thirty days we consider we may be higher folks and we do our greatest to grow to be them.

In India, for me, my reminiscences of Ramzan in Bombay have been one of the best. Before you start your quick, you eat Suhoor or Sehri (the pre-fast meal), and each baby who nonetheless stays with their dad and mom is aware of how a lot yelling occurs round that point. Being one among six youngsters, somebody or the opposite was all the time forgotten throughout Sehri time by my mom, who would later be accused of not loving all of us equally. I bear in mind the times after I’d wake earlier than time, I’d discover my mom standing by the window, listening to the musahratis (a public waker for suhoor throughout Ramadan) singing, “Baharon phool barsaao maahe Ramzan aaya hai, maahe Ramzaan ayaa hai”, his loud voice echoing by way of the streets of Colaba as he sang to the tune of his dafli. Mom would typically ship meals for them so they may have their Sehri too, after I’d ask why she’d say, “Isn’t what they’re doing noble? Do you think you’d sacrifice the few hours you get to eat just so you could make sure everyone else woke up?” It was a very noble deed, they walked all the best way from Mohammed Ali Road to Colaba which is over an hour’s stroll simply, and to do this throughout Ramadan, daily, that’s some conviction.

Come Iftar time, all of us would rush to assist Ammi prepare dinner, fry snacks and set the desk, our mouths watering from the smells of do-it-yourself samosa, chana and on the cheat days, bhajia, wafting by way of the air. Being from a household of true meals lovers, we love meals in a manner that makes us not wish to waste it. So though the number of fruits and meals on the desk was aplenty, it was solely sufficient in order to not be wasted, and with eight folks on the desk, that by no means occurred anyway. Then simply 10 minutes earlier than Iftar, the youngest of the home, my brother and I, can be handed trays of meals to distribute to our neighbours, constructing employees, and so on. It was a pleasant factor to do, however again then we didn’t perceive why my dad and mom did it.

My father has all the time hosted Taraweeh prayers (particular prayers throughout Ramadan) on the terrace of his workplace for which over 200 folks would assemble, and a grand feast can be organised on the final day of prayers for all of the devotees as nicely.

However, this yr, there have been no songs to get up my household in Bombay, no meals was despatched over to anyone to take care of security, no prayers on the terrace and all charity was carried out from a distance. Ever since government-mandated lockdowns had been imposed everywhere in the world and in India on account of the coronavirus pandemic, folks have been suggested to remain indoors, and this has had fairly an impact on the religious and social facet of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims exit for Iftar (post-fast meal) events, Suhoor events, they go the mosque for prayers, and to the markets for buying, shopping for meals and lots extra with their family and friends. This yr when nothing went out, my mom advised me she acquired a number of calls telling her how grateful folks had been to have her of their lives, they usually couldn’t wait to eat her scrumptious meals once more.

Ramadan has certainly been a bit glum this yr, with most of us caught indoors, unable to go to the mosques for group prayers, unable to go to the fantastically lit up streets close to mosques (be it Jama Masjid in Delhi or Mumbai’s Mohammed Ali Road), the place typically after prayers one might see folks gorging on road meals. It is the primary time in a few years, that the streets are desolate, and it has positively dampened our spirits. Speaking to a number of Muslims from internationally, and studying their tales of Ramadan and their plans for Eid, it was straightforward to see, that regardless of our variations when it got here to tradition and upbringing, there are numerous issues which can be inherently the identical.

Mother of two and highschool trainer Arshi Azam, based mostly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, says, “Ramadan was very different this year, I was a lot more connected and involved in it. And on account of the Movement Control Order in Malaysia we couldn’t go out like we usually do in Ramadan, the lack of distractions helped us focus wholly on improving ourselves spiritually. I also took a lot of online classes to improve my Arabic, cooking and painting, which I haven’t done in over 15 years since I left Bombay. The situation allowed me to connect with the world from my couch. Unlike India, we don’t have house help here, so my sons and I do all the chores ourselves, so it was about the same workwise. With school closed and not having to go to work, I was able to do other things, so I often cook and send hygienically packed food for the building staff and my friends. The grim situation in the world has made us a lot more grateful for all we have, brought us closer to Allah and we are finally beginning to care for lesser fortunate people like we should have. Coronavirus is proof that the tables can turn at any point, it is very important to be kind. If nothing, it brings you peace.”

Original from Bhatkal, Karnataka presently staying in Mumbai, 26-year-old Sadaf Mohtesham, mom to 1, spoke of how the worry of the pandemic renewed her religion. She says, “This year I could focus on myself, in reciting the Quran and offering salat. I barely used my phone and didn’t even binge watch any show. Also given that we couldn’t go out to shop as often for food the number of delicacies was also limited and we actually ate healthier. Also the fear of the pandemic, the desperation to be in the “safe” led to a brand new religion in dua.. in Allah… and extra importantly, I felt this was the simplest Ramadan to date. It didn’t really feel like summer season in any respect.”

Talking about her Eid celebrations she says, “I usually head over to my parents for Eid, and on the day visit my in-laws and other relatives. This year I’ll be with my in-laws, and I have no idea when I will visit my family. Usually i stay at my place for eid, and then on the day i visit my in laws, relatives.. this year apparently i am staying at my in laws so i dont know if i will get to visit my family or not! Secondly, eid shopping which people are going crazy abt i stitched my dress a month before ramadan itself, shopping while fasting isn’t for me! My husband doesn’t have one though.. he is amongst the late shoppers, so i am not wearing the dress which i intended to wear in the first place.. i have another one which i will wear.. usually i give away my kid’ clothling in ramadan this ramadan couldn’t do that.. i so to my cousin’ place to apply mehendi, jewelleries in set etc etc.. nothing of that sort!! lets see how eid goes this year!! Despite the pandemic i was actually looking forward for eid bt after 31 active cases of covid-19 in the town, the enthusiasm excitement has vanished!!

Maybe now we will know how the poor celebrates eid!

26-year-old event planner Saeema Madhiya admits she has been more pious this year but can’t deny missing socialising at Suhoor and Iftar parties. She says, “Ramadan this year felt more spiritual, we were actually doing what we are meant to. Offering more prayers than usual, reciting the Quran more. We also have a lot of gatherings at Iftar and Suhoor parties where we meet and dine with friends and family. So lockdown, the pandemic and all this distance has really torn us away. It feels like a major piece of Ramadan has been missing and although we do our best to keep our spirits up, because we have a lot more to be grateful about, it feels very lonely this Ramadan.”

Dubai native Ayesha Ali works in building, which has been listed as an important sector, and has been working from house for the previous two months. The 27-year-old admits that this was her greatest Ramadan apart from the truth that she couldn’t go to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers, “I’m an anomaly because I never really enjoyed going out in Ramadan that much, but not being able to go to the mosque for Taraweeh is a bummer. Although I think that people secretly like the solitude this Ramadan. The coronavirus did have an effect on Ramadan, but it was good in a way because there’s been less waste, no hectic shopping. But I have to admit, not being able to meet one another on Eid is the worst.”