Pandemic Ramadan
Item
Title
Pandemic Ramadan
Description
The Muslim month of fasting is usually a time of more than usual communal get togethers. Not only are Muslims more inclined to perform prayers at their mosques, but in Sunni Muslim tradition, the month involves supererogatory prayers at night throughout the month. On one particular night during the month, when it is believed by both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims that the Quran first began to be revealed, all night vigils and prayers are offered.
The special ritual obligations of the month are complemented by special social obligations. The breaking of the fast at the end of each day is occasion to invite family, neighbors, friends, strangers to the table to share in a meal of thanksgiving. As well, it is considered commendable to feed the poor and offer extra charity to those in need during the month. Traditionally this is done personally, to those in the community or neighborhood.
Both spiritual and social obligations of the month will be tremendously impacted by the pandemic, in Muslim majority societies and here in the USA.
Below is one Muslim community’s response to the challenge.
The special ritual obligations of the month are complemented by special social obligations. The breaking of the fast at the end of each day is occasion to invite family, neighbors, friends, strangers to the table to share in a meal of thanksgiving. As well, it is considered commendable to feed the poor and offer extra charity to those in need during the month. Traditionally this is done personally, to those in the community or neighborhood.
Both spiritual and social obligations of the month will be tremendously impacted by the pandemic, in Muslim majority societies and here in the USA.
Below is one Muslim community’s response to the challenge.
Date Created
April 20, 2020
Community
Next Wave Muslim Initiative
Denomination
Islam
State
Maryland
Source
Date
May 23, 2020
Creator
Next Wave Muslim Initiative
Subject
Islam
This item was submitted on April 20, 2020 by [anonymous user] using the form “Tell us about your religious community's response” on the site “Pandemic Religion: A Digital Archive”: https://americanjewishlife.org/s/contributions
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