Since the beginning of the year, the global pandemic has successfully disrupted everyone’s lives in some shape or form. Now however, Muslims especially around the world are feeling the weight of it as they start to practice Ramadan but cannot do so as traditionally practiced for thousands of years. It is a holy time for them, observed on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar year and is a time to reflect on their faith and community. However, with the virus spreading and concerns for health are still a major issue, those practicing Ramadan are unable to come together, worship and reflect on what their faith means to them. 

What is Ramadan?

A time to reflect on one’s faith and focus on community and charity, Ramadan is a holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years and serves as a commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation. During this time, which lasts between twenty-nine and thirty days, adult Muslims who do not meet the exceptions are required to fast from dawn to dusk. Throughout the day, they devote their time to the Quran, performing charitable deeds     and striving for purity that is heightened throughout this time period. 

Mecca, the Holiest of Sites

Mecca, Saudi Arabia is seen as the holiest site to Muslims and is usually full to capacity during Ramadan with worshippers from around the world. But now with shelter-in-place orders, mass gatherings are still illegal, causing mosques to be closed to the world. “Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al Al- Sheikh, has told people to pray at home, including the special nightly Ramadan prayers called Taraweeh that attract throngs to mosques.” Their sahur (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking of fast at dusk) are also ordered to be done only with family, not with the community they are so used to being with. Lastly, Saudi Arabia has banned all travel “during Ramadan”, resulting in millions of families separated from their family during the holiday. Ultimately, the community that is so strong during this time has been kept apart by the virus, isolating those when they lean on their community the most. 

How Fasting has been Impacted in Developing Countries

In some countries, fasting has proved harder as the distribution of food has not been equal and many families have found themselves without any food. In Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, Karim Bamago states, “I am managing, but it’s difficult to fast knowing there will be nothing at the end of it.” Around the violence-stricken country, the pandemic has only intensified the disruption of food supplies. They have reported that “they really need help…water is an issue and there is no healthcare.” With very little water, they are even finding it difficult to wash their hands and keep within the guidelines for COVID-19. The once joyously celebrated holiday will now be observed with the same revere as previous years, with Muslims only able to keep praying to Allah to keep them safe. Those that have brought them food in the past are coming “less and less” and families are starting to feel the impact of COVID-19 on all fronts, physically, mentally and now spiritually. 

Muslims around the world are finding it hard to keep the same joy in their hearts while celebrating a holiday centered on faith, charity and community. A once beautiful time has been shoved into the shadow of isolation as millions of Muslims find themselves celebrating Ramadan as they never have before. While COVID-19 has helped bring families closer, it has ultimately served to disrupt the lives of people who need community now more than anything else.