Ramadan 2020

For Muslims across the world, this week, on Thursday 23rd April, seems the start of Ramadan, the month of fasting. A month that is welcomed by Muslims as a blessing and an opportunity to renew our faith, engage in more prayers and take part in many community-based events.

Sadly, this year because of the risk posed to our world by the coronavirus, Ramadan will be like no other experienced by Muslims worldwide. Lockdowns are being imposed preventing people for going out as easily as normal to shop for food. Mosques and community centres are shut meaning there will be no congregational prayers held either on Fridays, community iftars or the late night evening prayers (tarawih). It is also likely that given the current situation, the celebratory festival of Eid ul Fitr, that marks the end of Ramadan, will be impacted and the normal congregational Eid prayers, parties and family get togethers won’t be taking place.

This is a period that will be especially difficult for students, those who work away from home and those who are having to observe social distancing because of vulnerabilities they or others may have. Now more than ever we need to show unity and compassion – Ramadan is a struggle at the best of times. In isolation it will prove to be even harder.

About Ramadan

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calender which means that it’s a moveable festival, coming 10 days earlier every year. This also means that depending on the time of year, the fasts can be very long in the summer or very short in the winter. This year Ramadan starts on the 23rd April and ends 29 or 30 days later. Contrary to how some people view Ramadan, it is not an exercise is seeing who can stay hungry and thirsty for 18 hours a day. Ramadan has been described in the Quran in the following verses:

"O you who believe, fasting has been proscribed for you as it was proscribed for those who came before you so that you may become more pious" – (Quran 2:183)

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"The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Quran has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs that lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood).." [Quran 2:185]

Fasting is a command to all Muslims but this is not a blanket order as there are exceptions to the rule. For example, those who are ill, elderly, on medication, menstruating, pregnant, breast feeding and travelling are exempt. The fasting Muslim does not eat, drink (no, not even water!), smoke or engage in sexual activities between sunrise and sunset. In the UK, this is approximately from 4.00am till 8.30pm (although by the last day it will be nearer 3.00am and 9.30pm as the days will be getting longer!). Ramadan allows us to renew our relationship with God, it allows to slow down and remind ourselves of the many blessings we have, it allows us to purely our souls by spending more time in prayer and supplications by reading the Quran. It is also a time of giving and sharing, showing generosity and kindness. This year more than ever Ramadan will be at a much slower pace, allowing us to spend more time in reflection and becoming more God-conscious.

Things we can do to make this Ramadan easier

Just because the mosques are currently closed for collective worship, as per government guidelines, it does not mean that we cannot be part of a ‘community’ as many mosques are providing facilities online to support Muslims.

· Leeds Makkah Masjid is providing the following services by Imam Qari Asim and Imam Qari Qasim.

· Daily Islamic Reminder at 7pm.

· Daily Recitation of the Quran at 2.15pm – a Juz of the Quran will be recited (Tilawat) every day.

· Every Friday Islamic Reflections at 2pm.

· As there are no Iftar events, they are urging everyone to donate some money to those in need, locally and abroad. Further details can be found at https://makkahmosque.co.uk/makkah-mosque-2/

· The British Board of Scholars and Imams have also issued guidance for Ramadan during the Covid-19 pandemic that can be found in its entirety here http://www.bbsi.org.uk/ramadan-in-the-era-of-covid-19/ The executive summary is available below

· The Karimia Institute in Nottingham with Dr. Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari has the following online schedule of events that anyone is welcome to access

· Every Wednesday - 7:30 pm - Study Circle (Darse Quran) 

· Every Friday - 1:00 pm - Friday Naseeha

· Every Friday - 'Think Quran' podcast new episode released https://www.majesticquran.co.uk/think-quran/

Daily (Ramadan only): 

· LIVE Taraweeh - 10:00 pm - Listen to the recitation of the Quran along with a summary (whole Quran to be completed in the month)

· All these can be accessed from our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/karimiainstitute

It is important that if you have Muslim students and colleagues to understand what the month on Ramadan means especially this year. If you require any further information for advise please do contact me Hifsa.Haroon-Iqbal@Education.Gov.uk or by phone on 07872-941129