Ramadan and COVID-19: Holy month marked at home in pandemic

The holy month of Ramadan marked by fasting, prayers, forgiveness, searching of Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), and attending mosque, social, and other religious gatherings of friends and family to Sehro – Iftar.

Worldwide challenge of COVID-19 pandemic 

Practicing Ramadan during the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 is presents unique challenges for all Muslims over the world as the holy places are closed for safety and social crowds are banned in most countries. All over the world Muslims are restricted to go Mosque and celebrate the Ramadan collectively. It pains all the Muslims that offer prayers separately at home.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries to order the nation for restrictions on gathering, travel, and all collective prayers which is not seen before. Mosques are full of worshippers in the holy month of Ramadan, painfully expected to be empty or have limited attendance.

COVID-19 and Muslims of Asia

The huge number of Muslims collected in Mecca and Madina, now, even they are closed.
“The early morning meals (sehr) and the breaking of fast (Iftar) are to be done individually or with core family members only, government-issued guidelines stated. The same rules applied to offer prayers or reciting the Qur’an.”

The governments of Asia have a large Muslim population that argued people to follow the orders of state keep social distancing, offer your prayers at home.
Due to coronavirus pandemic all the Muslims are restricted to go mosque and gathering of public Iftar.

COVID-19 and government of Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan allowed the worshippers to keep mosques open during Ramadan but with 20 guidelines on safety.
“I request you to offer prayers at home. If you are really willing to pray at Mosque then strictly follow the 20 points of SOPs, which have been addressed by the government of Pakistan.”

The reports of the National Agency Operation Centre (NECO)  124 doctors, 39 nurses, and 90 health workers have been infected by the Coronavirus in Pakistan. Ninety-tow of these healthcare soldiers are in isolation, 125 are admitted in hospitals while 33 have recovered and have been discharged.

COVID-19 and government of Afghanistan

The similar guidelines are told in the neighboring country Afghanistan, a war-torn country that is already dealing with a shortage of COVID-19 test kits and isolation facilities.

Fasting is one the five pillars of Islam: and the others are faith, prayer, charity and the pilgrimage to Hijj. The fasting is to be believed that it helps in bringing them closer to the poors and those who feel hunger on daily basis.