MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Muslims in many parts of the world marked the beginning of Ramadan on Tuesday, but an increase in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put the brink of the holy month’s signature festivals and long prayers in mosques .
There was talk, however, that Ramadan 2021 could feel less limited than last year, when the holiest period of Islam coincided with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Mosques have since reopened and restrictions on movement have eased as vaccination of vaccines in majority Muslim nations continues. Clerics in places like Indonesia have given the assurance that the vaccine will not break one’s day quickly.
Ramadan is characterized by prolonged prayers, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts with family and friends, although busy shoulder-to-shoulder gatherings in mosques and large gatherings for meals remain prohibited due to the continuous spread of coronavirus worldwide.
During Ramadan, Muslims remember from morning to evening of food and drink (including water). The month-long exercise aims to increase the remembrance of God, curb unhealthy habits, and deepen gratitude.
In Mecca, the home of the Kaaba – the holiest site of Islam – Muslims performed socially distributed “taraweeh” prayers, which were the beginning of Ramadan. Acting Muslims around the world pray to the Kaaba five times a day.
Only a limited number of worshipers were allowed inside the Grand Mosque that houses the Kaaba to prevent the spread of the virus. Saudi authorities have only allowed individuals who have been vaccinated or recently recovered from the virus to do taraweeh prayers in the Kaaba.
In Lebanon, most Muslims started Ramadan on Tuesday amid rising inflation. The small country is in the grip of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history, with the Lebanese currency losing about 80% of its value against the US dollar in recent months.
The crisis – the result of decades of endemic corruption and mismanagement – has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Many people had to reduce their Ramadan preparations.
“We can not buy anything. We are asking how much salad, the cucumber and the tomato are, ”Samiyeh al-Turk said on Monday at a busy open-air market in Beirut. “How are we going to get through the month of Ramadan? I do not know, “she added.
On the first Friday of Ramadan, Israel allowed 10,000 fully vaccinated residents of the West Bank to pray in the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Holy Mosque in Jerusalem is open for prayer during Ramadan amid Israel’s rapid vaccination.
“We hope it will be a good month after the great setback to which the whole world has been exposed,” Jerusalem retailer Reyad Hallaq said.
In the densely populated Gaza Strip, a night bell is aimed at restricting family gatherings as the virus continues to spread there.
The restrictions mean that Bessan Mabhouh may not go to see her parents and get together for iftar, as they would often do several times during Ramadan.
“During the day, I also struggle to help my children with their distance education, so I don’t think this Ramadan will be fun from my family,” she said.
In Iraq, a 7 to 5 hour curfew will be in effect throughout Ramadan, with a total lockout over weekends. The Ministry of Health has warned that non-compliance with these measures could lead to continuous closures of three days. With reference to economic concerns for business owners, restaurants and pastry shops, it can only be operated through home deliveries.
Meanwhile, a ten-day lockout due to increased infections took effect Tuesday in the northeastern areas of Syria controlled by U.S. fighters. The region, which borders Iraq and Turkey, is home to 5 million people.
In Indonesia, COVID-19 cases are also on the rise. Mosques may be allowed for Ramadan prayers with strict protocols in place.
The government will allow people to hold ‘iftar’ events during Ramadan in restaurants, shopping malls and cafes, which can open at 50% off. Iftar is the coveted moment when Muslims traditionally break their day fast by eating dates and taking a sip of water before feasting with friends and family.
“Relieving restrictions is like a breath of fresh air for us who are tired of this COVID-19 outbreak,” said Anna Mardyastuti, a resident of Jakarta, Indonesia. “Yes, they need to act to stop the virus. , but do not block the door to worship or change our tradition of Ramadan. “
In the neighboring Muslim majority in Malaysia, Wan Noradriana Balqis, 21, welcomes the return of community prayers in mosques, but says she will avoid busy Ramadan bazaars. Coronavirus cases in Malaysia have more than tripled since January.
“I do not think it is a good idea to reopen the bazaars. The rules are there, but many people do not follow them, ” the database administrator said.
Vaccinations are a challenge for Muslim countries that are firing throughout Ramadan. Officials were easing concerns about the Islamic doctrine that between sunrise and sunset, Muslims “must refrain from anything entering the body.”
Indonesia’s leading spiritual council has gone so far as to oblige Muslims eligible for vaccinations to take the shots during Ramadan.
Governments, meanwhile, have also worked to maintain certain restrictions.
In India, where infections have peaked in recent days, scientists are appealing to the country’s 200 million Muslims to follow antivirus protocols and refrain from large gatherings. Many Indian cities dealing with virus surges have applied night bells, and it remains unclear whether the believers will be allowed to do tarawee prayers in mosques.
In Pakistan and Iran, the fast day is expected to start on Wednesday.
The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to close mosques in Pakistan, even though new infections are reaching levels similar to the start of the pandemic. Mosque leaders are entrusted to ensure that no one older than 50 years enters and that social distance is maintained, but fans rarely follow these restrictions.
Muslims in India-controlled Kashmir are still suffering from two backward locks that have left tens of thousands with no means to earn their living. The disputed region, the only part of India dominated by Hindus, is a majority Muslim, was under an unprecedented military shutdown in 2019 before coronavirus closures were introduced last year. Local charities plan to distribute Ramadan ration sets to families in need.
And in Egypt, the government prevented mosques from serving free meals during Ramadan and banned traditional charitable iftars that would bring strangers together at long tables.
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Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India; Kathy Gannon in Islamabad; Zeina Karam and Fadi Tawil in Beirut; Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal; Samy Magdy in Cairo and Fares Akram in the Gaza Strip city of Gaza contributed to this report.