An unusual Ramadan 2020 begins

With mosques closed, curfews and bans on mass prayer from Senegal to Southeast Asia, the Islamic community, some 1.8 billion people, face an unusual Ramadan. The coronavirus pandemic is causing religious celebrations to decline worldwide. Authorities in the Muslim world are grappling with a never-before-seen situation in order to carry out this year's Ramadan, which begins this Thursday, 23 April and ends on 23 May.

At the beginning of March, Saudi Arabia banned all public gatherings and a few days ago the country's Minister of Islamic Affairs informed the Kingdom's Muslims that they would only be able to hold prayer at home, with all prayers in the mosques being suspended. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also joined this decision. Similarly, Egypt took the same steps in early April, banning all public religious gatherings during Ramadan, although other restrictions were not supported by the population. Last month, parishioners at the Sayyida Zainab mosque in Cairo clashed with other citizens who accused them of spreading the virus by not keeping enough distance during community prayers, forcing the authorities to close the place of worship. In Jordan, meanwhile, the Government, in coordination with neighbouring Arab countries, is expected to announce a fatwa, describing the rituals of Ramadan.

The holiest month in the Islamic calendar dedicated to family and community unity, reflection, charity and prayer will undoubtedly be one of the most remembered by the faithful, since neither during the World Wars nor during other historical events did Muslims have to give up going to mosques.

Another question that has generated significant debate within the community is whether or not to carry out the fast. Traditionally, during the month of fasting, exemptions from the obligation to avoid food and drink from sunrise to sunset only apply to sick people, pregnant women and elderly people with some pathology.

Faced with this exceptional situation of the pandemic, doctors have argued against fasting, as it dries out the throat and increases the risk of infection. However, specialists in religious law have maintained that fasting is mandatory until any harmful effects related to the virus are medically proven.

It should be remembered at this point that abstaining from earthly desires, such as eating, drinking and having sex between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan, is considered one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic teachings. In fact, Islamic fasting is one of the ways in which Muslims try to draw closer to God, and this is stated in the holy text of the Qur'an: "Fasting is prescribed for you to exalt the greatness of God in leading you and to learn to be grateful" (2-185).

Iftar is the meal that marks the end of the fast and is usually shared with family and friends. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised using virtual alternatives, where it is possible to meet, without coming into physical contact with anyone. In the United Kingdom, for example, the Ramadan Shop Project has been organised, where through video conferences, communal iftars will be held and broadcast live on different social networks, especially for those who feel isolated during the month of fasting.

This project celebrates every year the biggest event of the British Isles of the Muslim community, offering food in the emblematic places of London. But due to the strict social distancing, the organisers have been forced to resort to technology.

Restrictions and closures of establishments such as bars and restaurants will also affect markets that during this month became a night market, such as those held in Lakemba, in western Sydney, or the open-air bazaars in Malaysia, Brunei or Singapore.

Depriving oneself of food and water during Ramadan is meant to empathise with the poor; charity is especially encouraged during this month. In the case of the UAE, as a national curfew has been established, charities will deliver Iftar meals to the poor. "To avoid the crowded gatherings associated with Iftar banquets, consideration should be given to using boxed meals and organisations should adhere to physical distancing," WHO has said in its guidelines for Ramadan.

Congregational prayers are also banned in several countries, and many mosques have closed temporarily.

After sunset and fasting, some worshippers choose to hold additional night prayers in a mosque, known as Tarawih. However, the great mufti Abdul Aziz Al al-sheikh of Saudi Arabia has stated that they should be held at home this year. In Iran, one of the nations most affected by COVID-19, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khomeini has also called on people to avoid mass prayers. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, they are allowing prayers in mosques during the month of Ramadan, but the faithful will have to stay at least two meters away.

Another significant measure has been the suspension of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in July, which traditionally involves more than two million people each year. Its cancellation will be the first since Saudi Arabia was founded as a country in 1932.

Neighboring countries, such as the UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Palestine, where Islam's third holiest site, the Al Aqsa Mosque, is located, have also confirmed the closure of the temples during Ramadan. "Tarawih prayers will be held at home, because the reopening of the mosque is linked to the end of the coronavirus crisis," said the great Palestinian Mufti Mohammed Hussein in the Jerusalem Post.

From home, isolated and with strong hygiene measures. This will be the most atypical Ramadan in history, where social networks will play a very important role for the Muslim community.