Safest Ramadan During Covid-19

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is met with a lot of excitement, strengthened faith, self-evaluation, and most of all a celebration that binds Muslims together. Ramadan or Ramzan as it is called, is coined from an Arabic term that means “scorching heat”. No one can ascertain why this term was chosen to reflect this period, but one thing is for certain, this is an intense period of spiritual upliftment and strengthening. One religious practice exercised in the aim to strengthen one’s faith is “fasting” and in the month is Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This fast is called “Ifatar”. After the days' fast, families and loved ones gather together, after the sunset's prayers to break the fast. The question remains, how can families observe this age-old tradition in a pandemic without taking away the essence of it?

How To Stay Safe During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Thankfully, the rites of Ramadan do not have to suffer from the Covid-19 pandemic that plagues the world around us. Hence, the safety measures to be observed in the month of Ramadan.

1. Wear a facemask: Wearing a facemask is one of the measures observed worldwide for curbing the spread of the Coronavirus and the Ramadan period is no exception. Whether you stay at home for prayers or go to the mosque, ensure that you wear a facemask. Do not get carried away by the familiar faces that you see the need to pull down your mask. Note that even your family member is a potential carrier of the virus.
2. ocial distancing: Observing social distancing is in no way irrelevant when you wear a face mask. As much as possible, observe at least six feet distance from the next person beside or in front of you. The sitting arrangements at home or at the mosque must adhere to this 6-feet rule. In the celebration of community we should be geared towards the safety of that community as much as our love for it.
3. Hand washing stations: At the mosques, this should be installed at the entrances and exits of the building. In line with wearing face masks and observing social distance, hand washing should be practiced routinely at the mosques or at home. Practitioners should be encouraged to also move around with hand sanitizers to disinfect their hands whenever they can.
4. Signs and notices: Signs and notices to remind people that they can only be allowed into the mosque if they adhere to the covid+19 restrictions put in place.

As these preventive measures are observed, trust that the Ramadan celebration will represent all the goodness it brings, and not one to be remembered by the morbid experiences a neglect of these rules brought.