How virus has changed this holiest of months
APRIL SEES EASTER, VAISAKHI AND RAMADAN
MORE than a year on since lockdown was first imposed in the UK, religious celebrations are continuing to face disruption to how they are normally celebrated.
Easter is not the only major festival celebrated in April as this month also sees Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi and Muslims begin a month of fasting for Ramadan.
The month of festivities begins with Easter but large congregations will still not be able to meet in churches as usual. Those who would usually open their fast with family and friends for Ramadan or take part in a city procession for Vaisakhi will also be celebrating differently.
Sub-dean at the Diocese of Derby, Elizabeth Thompson, explained how Easter will be once again be different this year because of Covid-19.
She said: “Unlike last year, this Easter we can have the church open and people can come in and worship in person. Churches are making this decision for themselves based on what their resources are.
“The Cathedral will be open for people to come into where they can light a candle. We will have the choir performing a service but this will be streamed as we can’t have them and a congregation here together.
“Over the last year we’ve learnt a lot about doing things online but for the first time since Christmas, we will be able to have people come in for a service.
“Usually we would have a huge gathering with music playing, but it won’t be anything like that. People will be together but in a different way. For us, Easter is about spring and that sense of new life which this year coincides with things reopening.”
Jaz Rai, a community leader in Derby’s Sikh community, explained how Vaisakhi will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 13. It marks the birth of the Khalsa – a body of devout initiated Sikhs which was founded in 1699 by the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Mr Rai said: Normally the highlight of Vaisakhi is the procession through Derby called the Nagar Kirtan. But because of Covid, it is not possible because we normally have thousands of people there. It’s not just the Sikh community, it’s a colourful, vibrant event for the whole city that will sadly be missed.
“However, there will be services held at all four temples the procession would have passed through and these will be in line with Covid restrictions. There will also be hymns and prayers online for people to take part in.
“This Vaisakhi will be a time for Sikhs to reflect on how we are all one. During the lockdowns, I think that message has been more poignant than ever.” Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture. Muslims observe Ramadan, to mark that Allah, or God, gave the first chapters of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad in 610. Muslims fast, abstain from pleasures and pray to become closer to God. It is also a time for families to gather and celebrate.
Nazir Hussain, a committee member at the Derby Jamia Mosque, said: “Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims that for us begins on
April 14. We look forward to Ramadan because it’s a month of repentance, remembering the less fortunate, giving charity and seeking God’s mercy and blessings. Through spirituality we hope fasting, will bring us closer to God.”
“The mosque would normally be full during Ramadan but that won’t be the case this year. We will be having prayer at a distance with face masks worn and following all the Government Covid-19 guidelines.
“People will be asked to spend a minimum time in the mosque and not to embrace each other. In reflection, so many people have passed away over the last year. It’s a reminder of how short life is and we should be good to each other and help the less fortunate.”
Reach Derby – a church in The Riverside Centre in Derby – will be celebrating Easter virtually.
A spokesperson said: “Here at Reach Derby we’re looking forward to celebrating Easter together online. In previous years we’ve been able to gather for our weekend meetings to reflect on the cross and then celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, and this year we’ll be hosting those meetings online and celebrating all the same.
“This Good Friday we’ll be holding a creative ‘hour at the cross,’ focusing on the meaning of Easter followed by a Sunday meeting full of family-friendly drama, music and video. Easter is a time to celebrate the promise of a fresh
start.”
Usually we would have a huge gathering with music playing, but it won’t be anything like that. Elizabeth Thompson
The Ahamdiyya Muslim community has a large membership in Burton and Derby. Aamir Sikander, the president of the community in Derbyshire, said: “Because we don’t have an actual mosque in the area, we would usually rent out a hall to pray in together and open our fast together in a feast.
“It’s a very communal spirit. The aim of Ramadan is to cleanse ourselves so we become better humans and the help the poor where we can. Only those who are able-bodied would fast and we will begin to from April 14”
We look forward to Ramadan because it’s a month of repentance and remembering the less fortunate Nazir Hussain