Mosques across the country remained shut on the first day of holy month of Ramzan which began on a subdued note on Saturday after imams, Ulema and Muslim leaders gave a call to Muslims not to congregate in mosques and perform Iftaar and Taraweeh (special prayers) at home to maintain social distancing norms amid coronavirus outbreak.
Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Mumbai’s Hamidiya Masjid, Kashmir’s Hazratbal Mosque, Kolkata’s Nakhoda masjid and Makkah masjid in Hyderabad wore a deserted look as people offered namaz and performed the sahari rituals at their homes and refrained from public gathering.
Most of the masjids have put notices on the gates that no prayers will be held during Ramzan. However, there were reports from some markets having brisk shopping and crowds flouting the social distancing norms.
“This is the first time in many years we are unable to offer morning (fajr) or evening prayers (maghrib) or Iftaar in mosques due to lockdown and ban on gatherings for physical distancing,” said Khurram Raza, a scholar from Aligarh Muslim University.
Every year the sighting of the Ramzan moon brings great cheer for Muslims as they scamper to make preparations for fasting and head to mosques to begin special Taraweeh prayers, but not this time.
In Delhi, Shahi imams of Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi have appealed to Muslims to offer namaz during the holy month of Ramzan at home and follow lockdown guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, in a video message asked people not to venture outside unnecessarily and remain indoors during Ramzan for prayers. “Namaz and Taraweeh (ritual prayer) should be offered at home. Care should be taken that not more than three-four people read Taraweeh because large numbers can be harmful for the families and the society in view of the pandemic,” Bukhari said.
Ramzan marked by fasting by followers of Islam started from Saturday as per the lunar calendar. Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said those who are under quarantine and unable to observe ‘Roza” (fast) can compensate for it through ‘Qaza’ or feeding one person.
In Kolkata, the apex body of imams in West Bengal asked Muslims to offer namaz at home, and advised them not to assemble at mosques because of the coronavirus outbreak. “All mosque committees have been asked to communicate to the members of Muslim community that they should not crowd the mosques and offer daily namaz at home,” Chairman of Bengal Imams Association Mohammed Yahia said.
Kochi’s Padivattom Mahallu Muslim Jama-ath mosque’s Imam remains inside the mosque while it is shut for the general public. Posters have been put up outside the mosque that masjid is shut till further order. “This year, we have directed the faithful to prepare food at home and break the fast with their families. Muslim organisations have strictly directed the people to observe all Ramzan related prayers and rituals at home. These instructions must be followed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the prominent Muslim body Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind had, appealed to Muslims to adhere to the lockdown guidelines and perform all religious rituals during Ramzan by staying at their respective homes.
President Maulana Arshan Madani said, “In view of deadly COVID-19 that has caused death and destruction all over the world, medical experts have suggested that social distancing is the only option to break the chain of the spread of this dangerous virus.” All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, also had appealed to the Muslims of the country during Ramzan not to go out of their homes to offer Ramadan prayers.
Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims worldwide refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk and end their fast in the evening. As per the Islamic beliefs, God forgives the past sins of the devotees who prays and fasts with faithful intentions.