$\""\"$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

A Palestinian woman prays at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in May 2019 (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many\u00a0of the world’s estimated 1.6 billion Muslims will fast every day, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset\u00a0as an act of worship.\u00a0Islam follows the lunar calendar, which means the dates of Ramadan change every year. Muslims believe that through fasting, they are able to strengthen their relationship with God, practise willpower and empathise with the less fortunate.<\/p>\n

Every day of the month, practising Muslims will also try\u00a0to reconnect with their faith through acts of worship, such as praying, reading the Quran and charitable giving,\u00a0as well as rekindling relationships with friends and family.<\/p>\n

The breaking of the fast, or\u00a0iftar, at sunset is usually a communal affair for Muslims in Ramadan, with people gathering either at home or in large public spaces to eat together.<\/p>\n

The hours of fasting\u00a0depend on sunrise and sunset, which affects its length from place to place: this year, for example, the fast will last longer in London than in Sydney. Only those who are physically able are expected to fast, meaning Muslims who are unwell may be exempt.<\/p>\n

Those\u00a0observing fasts will often stay up late to maximise hours when eating and drinking is permitted. It is traditional to wake up for suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, which serves as an alternative to the breakfast which would otherwise be missed.<\/p>\n

It is believed that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, known as the “Night of Power”. Some Muslims choose to live and sleep in a mosque during these final days,\u00a0to focus entirely on increasing their religious knowledge.<\/p>\n

How might Ramadan preparations differ in 2020?<\/h3>\n
Muslims observing Ramadan use the weeks in the run-up to ensure their kitchens are stocked with ingredients for traditional\u00a0meals.<\/p>\n
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$\"Ramadan$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Streets and homes are decorated to welcome in the holy month (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In the Middle East and elsewhere it is high season for shopping as stores stock traditional treats and themed decorations. Streets are laced with festive lanterns and colourful lights, while residents decorate their homes with ornaments, some shaped as crescents and stars, to mark the start of the month.<\/p>\n
This year, curfews and lockdowns\u00a0imposed in some countries, as well as reduced opening hours, mean that many Muslims will struggle to prepare as usual for the month ahead: in Egypt, for example, the government has imposed a curfew from 7pm to 6am.<\/p>\n
Many shops have seen food shortages as shelves have been cleared of essentials. Some store owners have also rationed the number of\u00a0products each customer can\u00a0purchase, making shopping for larger families difficult.<\/p>\n
Businesses will also be impacted by the change – many have experienced lowered profits<\/a> as a result of orders to self-isolate at home, and some have had to close indefinitely.\u00a0New measures to deal with the pandemic include\u00a0reducing staffing levels and limiting stock, as businesses struggle to source supplies from wholesalers.<\/p>\n
Independent businesses and market sellers are likely to be some of the hardest hit by the pandemic as Ramadan is typically\u00a0a key\u00a0period for bakeries, restaurants\u00a0and craft sellers. During the holy month, menus include seasonal treats, while markets sell produce unique to the month, including nuts and dates.<\/p>\n
How will coronavirus affect my fast?<\/h3>\n
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory.\u00a0Exemptions are made for children, women who are pregnant, menstruating, nursing and\u00a0people who are ill or travelling. Those who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms may\u00a0not have to fast during Ramadan, if they are not physically able.<\/p>\n
The Ramadan day usually begins in many communities\u00a0before the break of dawn. In narrow alleyways across the Middle East during Ramadan, a beating drum\u00a0can sometimes be heard during the\u00a0early hours. This is the musaharati, who wakes\u00a0up residents in time for the pre-dawn suhoor and wishes\u00a0residents\u00a0a blessed month.\u00a0In some close-knit neighbourhoods, the musaharati\u00a0even call children by their individual names.\u00a0This year the sound of the musaharati may be silenced as they abide by lockdown regulations.<\/p>\n
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$\"Musaharati$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
A man walks down the street to wake up local residents for food and prayer (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
During the day itself, most Muslims who observe the fast continue to work and attend school, while abstaining from food.<\/p>\n
But the coronavirus pandemic has forced\u00a0thousands of schools to shut and millions of people\u00a0to work from home. This\u00a0could bring some relief to some of those who are fasting: the hours usually spent travelling to and from work can instead be used to be catch\u00a0up on sleep lost during the late nights.<\/p>\n
How\u00a0will Ramadan mealtimes differ?<\/h3>\n
Ramadan is a very communal festival through the month – but this too may be affected by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Iftar – literally translated as “breaking the fast” – is a highly anticipated meal often shared with extended family,\u00a0and friends.<\/p>\n
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$\"ramadan$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Tables are set up in the streets for worshippers to break their fast (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The spread of Covid-19 will likely stop\u00a0larger families and groups from gathering,\u00a0as governments worldwide urge\u00a0people to physically distance\u00a0from one another.\u00a0It may also prevent those living in smaller households, who are often\u00a0invited to join a larger gathering, from doing so.<\/p>\n
Often charitable\u00a0organisations or individuals erect large tents where Muslims can gather and break the fast: these are open to all, allowing the less fortunate to also share a meal. It is not known what will happen to these.<\/p>\n
Also likely to be affected are the pre-dawn suhoors, which some Middle East\u00a0organisations use\u00a0to replace office socials or press events that would otherwise take place during the day.<\/p>\n
To get around the social distancing restrictions, some organisations and mosques have set up online webinars and video conferences. One such example is the UK’s\u00a0Ramadan Tent Project<\/a>, which usually hosts an outdoor open iftar<\/a> every Ramadan: this year it will host online webinars to address spiritual questions and offers advice on how to benefit from the holy month.<\/p>\n
How will prayers be affected during the pandemic?<\/h3>\n
Every evening during Ramadan, extended prayers, called tarawih, take place in mosques around the world.\u00a0These communal acts of worship are held in the\u00a0belief that there is greater reward for prayers made in congregation.<\/p>\n
Mosques fill\u00a0with\u00a0worshippers during this time: the more popular venues are filled to overflowing, with the faithful following\u00a0 prayers from the courtyard and surrounding streets.<\/p>\n
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$\"Prayers$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
As mosques fill up during Ramadan, people pour out into courtyards (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
But this year, many\u00a0mosques in the Middle East, such as the Masjid An Nabawi in Saudi Arabia,\u00a0have already closed their doors to curb the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n
In the UK, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)<\/a>\u00a0has issued a statement saying there should be an immediate suspension of prayer services if the outbreak continues at the projected rate.\u00a0In the US, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society<\/a>\u00a0said all five daily congregational prayers would be cancelled at its 10 mosques amid the threat of the virus.<\/p>\n
Some mosques, including the Atlanta Masjid<\/a>\u00a0in the US, have started to\u00a0live stream the khutbah, the sermon\u00a0given before the congregational Friday prayers. This virtual congregation may continue during Ramadan so that prayers\u00a0can be observed from the safety of worshippers\u2019 homes.<\/p>\n
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$\"Tarawih$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Tarawih prayers are a key part of Ramadan, which have already been cancelled by many mosques (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In some parts of the Middle East, the athaan, or call to prayer, which is amplified from mosques five times a day, has been used to encourage people to stay safe. In Kuwait,<\/a> the call has been altered\u00a0to include the phrase \u201cpray in your homes\u201d instead of the usual \u201ccome to pray\u201d.<\/p>\n
How have coronavirus restrictions hit pilgrims?<\/h3>\n
The months before and during Ramadan are some of the busiest for travel to the holy city of\u00a0Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, in Saudi Arabia. It attracts millions of Muslim\u00a0from around the world, who often save for years to complete Umrah<\/a>, an optional pilgrimage, that allows them to\u00a0reconnect with their faith, seek forgiveness and pray for their needs.<\/p>\n
Usually pilgrims need to provide proof of a meningitis vaccination when entering the kingdom – but the spread of coronavrius has increased the number of measures.<\/p>\n
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$\"Umrah$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Worshippers have been temporarily banned from visiting the holy sites in Mecca and Medina, where the mosques were seen empty for the first time in centuries (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
On 27 February,\u00a0Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended travel to the country\u2019s holiest sites amid fears it would encourage spread of the coronavirus, leaving travel agents\u00a0 to scramble around and rearrange bookings<\/a>. Many pilgrims have simply cancelled their trips.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Mecca\u2019s Grand Mosque was\u00a0 emptied and cleaned\u00a0<\/a>to safeguard against the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n
Which other forms of worship may be affected?<\/h3>\n
Some Muslims gather regularly\u00a0to further\u00a0knowledge of their faith in\u00a0a study circle known as a\u00a0halaqah. The practice goes\u00a0back to the time of the Prophet, when a tradition of shared knowledge allowed Muslims to learn and ask questions.<\/p>\n
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$\"Ramadan$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
During Ramadan, mosques are used for study circles (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
These increase in frequency during Ramadan.\u00a0Discussions are tailored to fit the demographic of the attendees. Prayers and supplications also usually take place in congregation during the meetings.<\/p>\n
Many mosques will offer online alternatives, such as\u00a0video conference platforms or live streaming, as a substitute for the centuries-old tradition.<\/p>\n
What about charity efforts during the pandemic?<\/h3>\n
Central to the month of Ramadan are acts of charity and helping those who are less fortunate.\u00a0Muslims believe this is key to their faith and that there are increased blessings\u00a0for acts of kindness during the month.<\/p>\n
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$\"mosul$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Members of an Iraqi charity organisation distribute food in Mosul in May 2018 (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Fundraising\u00a0events are typically organised around communal events, such as a\u00a0large iftar meal or after\u00a0congregational prayers.<\/p>\n
Usually, volunteers gather donations to pack Ramadan food bags\u00a0for the less fortunate. This year, shortages of essential food items such as rice, pasta and lentils, as well as restrictions on movement, mean that households with little or no income will likely suffer. In certain countries hit by economic\u00a0crises, such as\u00a0Egypt, Ramadan is often\u00a0the only time of year that some families get to eat meat if, for example, pieces of\u00a0chicken are mixed in with the rice.<\/p>\n
According to the Muslim Charities Forum (MCF)<\/a>, Muslims donate at least \u00a3130m\u00a0[$160m] to charitable causes during the holy month.<\/p>\n
This year, expect\u00a0much of the fundraising to take place through online donation websites.<\/p>\n
What other Ramadan traditions might be affected?<\/h3>\n
Although many Muslims focus during the holy month on strengthening their faith and avoiding worldly distractions, Ramadan is also when TV series find prime-time audiences.<\/p>\n
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Advertising promoting Ramadan TV in Cairo in 2018 (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The number of viewers can skyrocket, as followers find distraction while waiting to break their fast. Gripping daily dramas, with big-name casts, are specially produced for broadcast during\u00a0the month, anticipating a large global audience.<\/p>\n
But Ramadan TV has a short lead-in time, with around 70 percent of all TV series not finished shooting at the time of publication, according to an industry insider, who said\u00a0that many series continue to film during the festival itself.<\/p>\n
Hotels in MENA also\u00a0host huge iftars, followed by entertainment, while concerts\u00a0and festivals are likewise\u00a0key features of\u00a0the month. Expect these also to be hit.<\/p>\n
What about Eid and coronavirus?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ramadan ends with the sighting of the next full moon. This is a signal to mark\u00a0 Eid al-Fitr<\/a>, a three-day celebration.<\/p>\n
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$\"Eid$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Adults and children chase balloons after early morning Eid prayers in Cairo (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Early congregational prayers, held on the first morning of Eid, bring\u00a0communities together to meet, pray and eat during daylight for the first time in a month.<\/p>\n
In much of the Middle East, Eid is a national holiday, a time for food and festivities, when children wear new clothes, receive money or presents and eat sweets.\u00a0Families typically organise days out, filled with activities for children and social gatherings for adults.<\/p>\n
Homes are decorated\u00a0with lights, bunting and signs that read “Eid Mubarak (“Blessed Festival” in Arabic)\u00a0to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n
But due to the coronavirus pandemic,\u00a0Eid is likely to be affected more than Ramadan this year.\u00a0While the basic Ramadan traditions can be observed at home, including congregational prayers via streaming, Eid is typically when Muslims go out to celebrate, visit\u00a0family and friends and return to normal daily life.<\/p>\n
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$\"Eid$ <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
A Syrian baker prepares traditional sweets for Eid celebrations (AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
But with cinemas, theme parks and cafes closed this year, children and celebrations will have to be confined to the home.<\/p>\n
Given how religious authorities and governments are likely to\u00a0ban large gatherings, in keeping with lockdown measures, expect Eid to be more muted and reflective this year.<\/p>\n
By:<\/strong> <\/span>Nadda Osman<\/a><\/p>\n
Hadalsame Media<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Hadalsame) 11 April 2020 – Covid-19 will impact Muslims celebrating Ramadan – but how? What will happen to holy month gatherings? Middle East Eye explains. With the spread of Covid-19 impacting millions of people worldwide, the holy month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to begin on or around Thursday 23 April, may look very different […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/b-65.jpg?fit=1400%2C932&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Xl2P-bcF","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43069"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43069"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43071,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43069\/revisions\/43071"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hadalsame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}