Observing Ramadan 2020 amid pandemic
MARAWI CITY,Lanao del Sur: Millions of Muslims around the world are busy preparing for the Eid’l Fitr celebration expected to end on May 24, depending on moon sightings and despite mosques still shuttered and mass gatherings banned, according to an ulama.
Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a recent letter to Malacañang, Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), through the Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA) headed by Dr. Laman Piang , said. “If the moon is sighted, Eid’l Fitr will be on May 23, otherwise, it will be on May 24, 2020.
Mosques and other places of worship are subject to government protocols during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a letter to Pangarungan dated May 18, Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the Intercontinental Broadcasting Coorporation (IBC)-13 ,one of the TV stations under the supervision of the PCOO, will be airing Eid’l Fitr prayers
and khutbah on Sunday, May 24, from 7a.m. to 8a.m.
Dr. Julkipli Wadi from the Institute of Islamic Studies of the University of the Philippines. will lead the prayers and the khutbah on the air.
Sultan Aburrahman Shiek, provincial chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front- Momungan Ranaw Region, said the end of the holy month of Ramadan is traditionally observed with congregation prayers after praying in the mosques, after which families, relatives and friends gather around either in the house, restaurants, fastfood otlests or even the beach to celebrate the Eid’l Fitr.
But this year 1441 (in the Muslim calendar) is unlike previous observance of Ramadan, the month being held in the Muslim world under the Covid-19 pandemic.
Professor Datu Casan Cana former dean of the College of King Faisal Arabic and Islamic Studies and former Cabinet member of the now defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and consultant to Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said one important ways of coronavirus prevention is personal hygiene, especially frequent handwashing.
Islam has been encouraging personal hygiene for centuries and the Quran instructs Muslim to keep their clothes clean in one of the earliest revelations (74-4): “God loves those who are clean.”
More than 14 centuries ago, Prophet Mohammad said, “Cleanliness is half of faith” and encouraged Muslims to wash their hands before and after eating, bath at least once a week (and after marital relations) brush their teeth daily and to groom their nails and private parts.
Cana said the 2020 Ramadan observance has taught Muslims several lessons, such as self- discipline and coping with forced separation brought about by social distancing.
Praying at the mosques, he added, has been hampered by the ban on mass gatherings and the imposition of night curfews.
Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Abu Huraira Udasan told Muslims to offer their
Eid’l Fitr prayers at home, instead of going to the mosques.
In observance of the Eid’l Fitr, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 25 as a regular holiday.