During the month of Ramadan, the practice of praying and reading the Quran is an important act for Muslims to engage in. PHOTO: Unsplash/ By Rachid Oucharia
This year’s Ramadan presented unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the world in a global crisis, Muslims proceeded to fast in the midst of new restrictions and safety measures.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a guide for Ramadan practises before the religious month of fasting began, on 15 April. The guide advised on the preventative practices that Muslims should adopt during the time of Covid-19 and Ramadan.
This year’s month of Ramadan, which commenced on 23 April, avoided large gatherings, according to dr Chris Jones, from Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Department of Practical Theology and Missiology.
As a result, meals during Ramadan – such as Suhoor, which is the morning meal before the day’s fast begins and Iftar, the meal that is eaten after sunset to break the day’s fast – were practised with gathering restrictions in place.
According to Jones, this dampened the spirit of Ramadan.
“However, people are still motivated and encouraged to do their prayers and fast because they are driven by their faith,” Jones said.
As Ramadan comes to an end, on 23 May, this year’s celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic fast, is also expected to be scaled-down.
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, often read during Ramadan. Muslims believe it to be the revelation from Allah (God). PHOTO: Unsplash/ By Masjid Pogung Dalangan
Most Muslims were content with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s restrictions on prayers and gatherings, according to Ismaeel Moegamad, chairperson of the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at SU. This included the closing of mosques, he said.
“While many of us might desire to return to the mosque, we realise the importance of flattening the curve. It’s important to keep people safe by cooperating with the lockdown regulations,” said Moegamad.
Support during the fast
In an attempt to support fellow Muslim students, Moegamad said that the Stellenbosch MSA offered spiritual and emotional support via online channels, with the objective of making members feel included.
“Most of the MSA’s work remains in administrative tasks. The spiritual upliftment that happens in our group is currently done by the head of education, Ubaidullah Gaffoor,” said Moegamad.
According to Gaffoor, who has also been supporting Muslim residences by means of sharing posts on Ramadan through social media, he could tell that Muslims were worried going into this year’s Ramadan.
“I could tell that there was much confusion. Thankfully, there have been many initiatives that came through and made it possible for Muslims to still make the most of this blessed month,” said Gafoor.