Ramadan during the Covid-19 Pandemic by Grace Gartlan

In these unprecedented times, many are struggling, whether from illness, the mental effects of isolation or in light of practical difficulties/personal circumstances. However, for the Muslim community across the world, this is an especially difficult time as they observe the festival of Ramadan, a month of fasting to remember the first revealing of the Qur’an (the Islamic holy book), where adults do not eat during daylight hours. Normally, this is a period of community, in which relationships are strengthened as people individually deepen their faith, learn self-discipline and remember the hardships of those in poverty. In a similar way to many events, festivals and celebrations at the moment, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the tradition to be adapted, as Muslims alter their practices in line with social distancing and lockdown measures.

In different times, 1.8 billion Muslims globally would not only fast, but attend group meals to break the fast (in between sunset and sunrise), as well as partake in prayer services culminating in a large celebration at the end of the month, Eid ul-Fitr. However, like everyone else, they have been advised to stay home, which for many, is making what is already a testing time even more difficult, none more so than NHS frontline staff who are practicing Muslims. For many working in hospitals, the fast is no longer possible due to demanding hours and difficulties in timing. The Islamic community, however, has tried to find positivity in this situation by focusing on the charity aspect of Ramadan. For example, a Stanmore mosque has helped to provide more than 150 households with meals in this time, and mosques, alongside many other places of worship, have employed technology to enable virtual talks and classes, and most importantly, provide information to the community and those around them about how to fast safely in what may be uncertain times.

Ramadan is not the only religious festival to have been affected by this pandemic. In Christianity, holy week, what would normally be a time for church and community, was altered as services became virtual and celebrations occurred at home, as a single household. Similarly, the Jewish community celebrated Passover in lockdown, again trying to find ways to celebrate despite the physical separation of communities. People globally, whether practicing in faith or not, are struggling with the upheaval of lockdown, but are adapting continuously, as they focus on the excitement of a time after this. To many, it seems that the physical separation has taught people to appreciate others and has in fact strengthened communities.