MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, but an increase in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put a stop to the signatures of the holy month and long prayers in the mosques.
Still, there were flashbacks that Ramadan 2021 might feel less restricted than last year, when the holiest period of Islam coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, mosques have reopened and movement boundaries have shrunk as vaccines continue to be developed in Muslim-majority nations. Clerics in places like Indonesia have given assurances that the vaccine will not break the fast of the day.
Ramadan is marked by longer prayers, evening fasts, and nightly parties with family and friends, although crowded gatherings at mosques and large gatherings for food are prohibited due to the continued spread of the coronavirus throughout the world. world.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims refrain from any food or drink (including water) from morning to night. The practice of a month aims to increase the memory of God, curb unhealthy habits and deepen gratitude.
In Mecca, the home of the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, Muslims said socially distant “taraweeh” prayers, marking the beginning of Ramadan. Observer Muslims from all over the world pray to the Kaaba five times a day.
Only a limited number of worshipers were allowed inside the Great Mosque that houses the Kaaba to prevent the spread of the virus. Saudi authorities only allowed people vaccinated or recently recovered from the virus to perform taraweeh prayers at the Kaaba.
In Lebanon, most Muslims began Ramadan on Tuesday amid rising inflation. The small country is in the throes 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 cut back on preparations for Ramadan.
“We can’t buy anything. We ask how much lettuce, cucumber and tomato are worth, “Samiyeh al-Turk said at a crowded open-air market in Beirut on Monday.” How will we spend the month of Ramadan? I don’t know, “he added.
Israel allowed 10,000 fully vaccinated Palestinian residents of the West Bank to pray at the al-Aqsa Mosque on the first Friday of Ramadan. The sacred mosque in Jerusalem is open to prayers during Ramadan amid the rapid implementation of Israeli vaccination.
“Hopefully it will be a good month after the big setback to which everyone was exposed,” said Reyad Hallaq, owner of the Jerusalem store.
In the densely populated Gaza Strip, a night curfew aims to restrict family reunions as the virus continues to spread there.
Restrictions mean that Bessan Mabhouh may not see her parents and gather for iftar, as they usually do several times during Ramadan.
“During the day, I’m also struggling to help my kids with their remote learning, so I don’t think this Ramadan is enjoyable for my family,” he said.
In Iraq, a curfew will be held from 7 pm to 5 am throughout Ramadan, with a total closure on weekends. The Ministry of Health warned that non-compliance with these measures could lead to continuous three-day closures. Citing financial concerns for entrepreneurs, restaurants and bakeries will be able to operate, but only through home deliveries.
Meanwhile, a ten-day shutdown due to rising infections came into effect on Tuesday in US-backed areas of northeastern Syria controlled by fighters. The region, which borders Iraq and Turkey, is home to five million people.
In Indonesia, COVID-19 cases are also on the rise. Mosques are allowed to open for Ramadan prayers with strict protocols.
The government will allow people to hold “iftar” meetings during Ramadan in restaurants, malls and cafes, which can be opened to 50% capacity. Iftar is the most desired time when Muslims traditionally break the fast throughout the day by eating dates and taking a sip of water before eating with friends and family.
“Facilitating restrictions is like fresh air for those of us who are tired of this outbreak of COVID-19,” said Anna Mardyastuti, a resident of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. “Yes, they should act to stop the virus, but not block the door to worship or completely change our tradition of Ramadan.”
In neighboring Muslim-majority Malaysia, Wan Noradriana Balqis, 21, praised the return of community prayers to mosques, but said she would avoid the busy bazaars of Ramadan. Coronavirus cases in Malaysia have tripled more than since January.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to reopen the bazaars. The rules are there, but a lot of people don’t follow them, ”the database manager said.
Vaccines pose a challenge to Muslim nations that administer shootings throughout Ramadan. Officials were working to alleviate concerns about Islamic teaching that Muslims should refrain “from anything that enters the body” between sunrise and sunset.
Indonesia’s top clerical council went so far as to say that Muslims eligible for vaccination are “forced” to shoot during Ramadan.
Meanwhile, governments were also working to maintain some restrictions.
In India, where infections have peaked in recent days, scholars are calling on the country’s 200 million Muslims to follow antivirus protocols and refrain from large gatherings. Many Indian cities dealing with virus overloads have imposed night curfews and it is unclear whether the faithful will be allowed to perform taraweeh prayers in mosques.
In Pakistan and Iran, fasting is expected to begin on Wednesday.
The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to close mosques in Pakistan, even when new infections reach levels similar to the start of the pandemic. Mosque leaders are tasked with ensuring that no one is over 50 years old and that social distancing is maintained, but followers rarely follow these restrictions.
Muslims in India-controlled Kashmir continue to suffer two consecutive closures that left tens of thousands without any means to make a living. The controversial region, the only predominantly Muslim-dominated part of India that is predominantly Muslim, was under unprecedented military closure in 2019 before coronavirus closures were imposed last year. Local charities plan to distribute Ramadan ration kits to families in need.
And in Egypt, the government prevented mosques from serving free meals during Ramadan and banned traditional charity iftars from gathering strangers 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 Gaza City, Gaza Strip, contributed to this report.