Ramadan is a month-long Muslim observance which this year begins on the evening of Thursday 23 April and ends at sunset Saturday 23 May, and during which most Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
Statement from Imam of Eccles and Salford Islamic Society
As we are all well aware the month of Ramadhān is on our doorstep. Majority of us have witnessed many Ramadhāns, but Ramadhān 2020 will not be like the ones we have witnessed. Many Muslim’s around the globe will be experiencing a very different Ramadhān, adapting to the changes that we have been advised to follow from the British Government with social distancing, working from home and trying to keep ourselves isolated as much as possible, which is a great opportunity for the Muslim’s within our communities to spend the month of Ramadhān reciting more Qur’an and worshipping Allah more effectively with our family members, as the purpose of this month is to gain piety. I pray to Allah that he gives us ease in the times of hardship and gives us the utmost ability to gain closeness with himself in the month of Ramadhān.
As many of us will be staying indoors or many individuals will be working from home, we should follow some of the beneficial guidelines so that it may benefit us and our family members by the grace of Allah:
- Organising taraweeh at home with the family and pray in congregation.
- Try and complete the Qur’an at home with family members.
- Create a study circle with family members at home or online.
- Listen to Islamic lectures or study and learn about Islam, Quran, Hadith and Seerah.
- Those individuals working from home, take breaks to refresh yourselves.
- Finally, keeping ourselves busy in Dua and Istighfaar (supplication) to Allah S.W.T to accept our worship and keep us safe through this pandemic.
SHEIKH MARUF AHMAD
IMAM OF ECCLES AND SALFORD ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Supporting Muslim colleagues during Ramadan
Employers are not required to make adjustments or arrangements for employees or volunteers who are fasting during Ramadan or other holidays when people of specific religious groups are required to fast, but considerate employers will try to do so. Arrangements should be discussed with fasting workers, rather than assuming this is what they want, and/or employers should make clear to workers that they can ask for such arrangements.
The articles below have practical suggestions for providing a pleasant and supportive working environment for Muslim colleagues. Many of the suggestions are also relevant to arrangements for service users.
These articles are all from last year, so some of the guidance will have to be adapted for staff working from home.
- Ramadan. Acas, 2019. (If Acas updates this, it will probably have the same link.
- 7 things you should avoid saying to a fasting co-worker during Ramadan. Business Insider, 8 May 2019.
Ramadan and COVID-19
The articles below will help to understand how coronavirus will affect Ramadan observance this year. The first article, from an English-language publication in the United Arab Emirates, says that this year, people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are likely to be exempt from the obligation to fast, as are other people who are ill and women who are pregnant or menstruating.
- Ramadan 2020: Everything you need to know about the holy month in the UAE. The National, United Arab Emirates, 16 April 2020. The UAE's social distancing rules seem to be similar to the UK's.
- Zoom iftar launched to unite millions during Ramadan coronavirus lockdown. The National, UAE, 10 April 2020. The Ramadan Tent Project, which holds cross-community iftars (the meal to break the fast after sunset each day) and events bringing together political leaders and people of all faiths, will be hosting a virtual iftar through Zoom and streamed live on Facebook instead. Previous open iftars have been held at Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium.
- Ramadan 2020: How technology can help community element of holy month. The Mail, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, 17 April 2020.
- Ramadan 2020 hit by coronavirus: How holy month of fasting will have to change. Birmingham Live, Birmingham, 7 April 2020.
Thank you to Sandy Adirondack for providing this information as part of their governance and legal updates for the VCSE sector. You can subscribe to Sandy's updates by contacting her at legalupdate@sandy-a.co.uk.
Morrison’s Food Box during Ramadan
Morrison's are offering a food box that provides a selection of essentials to help you create wholesome meals for all the family and make Ramadan at home a little easier. Selection is based on the current availability of products.
The parcel costs £35 and will be delivered next day by DPD.
You can order a parcel from Morrison's website.
Statement from the YCA in regards to Ramadan
“Due to the unfortunate situation we all see ourselves in today, we envisage that Ramadan this year, the month of intense fasting and obedience, will be extremely tough for our community members within Salford. Self-isolation meaning no breaking of your 16-hour fast with family members and Social distancing meaning no daily congregational prayers or socialising, day or night. But with the isolation, can still be a time for contemplation and reflexion to become better people, which is the end goal of Ramadan and this can be applied for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. So let’s continue to follow good practices issued by the government, as we will have our part in saving lives and protecting our beloved NHS. A warm and Happy Ramadan / Ramadan Mubarak from all here at the Yemeni Community Association (YCA)”.
GM Council of Mosques Ramadan Statement
The Greater Manchester Council of Mosques is advising followers to adhere to Government guidance by worshipping from home and avoiding praying in large groups during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed worldwide by Muslims as a month for fasting. It is believed to be the month when the Holy Quran was revealed and honours the values at the heart of Islam, such as compassion and service to others.
Mosques are at the centre of activities associated with Ramadan meaning partaking in religious rituals will be challenging for many, following the temporary closure of places of worship and suspension of congregational prayers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Greater Manchester Council of Mosques, an umbrella organisation which represents mosques around Greater Manchester, is advising people to perform daily prayers at home and not participate in the extra late evening congregational Taraweeh prayers in the mosque to help stop the further spread of COVID-19 and help save lives.
Read the full press release here.
Useful links
Blog from Public Health Matters on staying at home for Ramadan.
Article from the BBC - Coronavirus: Advice issued for spending Ramadan in lockdown
NHS Our People resource - COVID-19 and Ramadan how to support staff who may be fasting
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