Virtual Ramadan event fills lockdown gap
Every year, for the entirety of Ramadan, the parking lot of the Mountain Mosque is packed each night — with some neighbouring businesses even offering up their lots for those attending congregational prayers.
This year, the doors are closed, with the COVID-19 pandemic seeing to the ban of all gatherings at places of worship in Ontario. The nearly 2,000 Muslims that gather there are now at home.
“It’s usually bustling with activity,” said Taher Ghouse, president of the Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton. “It’s always packed.”
Throughout Ramadan, which began April 23 and will end May 24, Muslims worldwide observe a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Each night, they break their fast at dusk and usually, they head to the mosque and gather for iftar, their evening meal. But, amid the pandemic, they are unable to do so.
“It’s a time for spiritual revival,” said Ghouse. “That is what we miss now.”
To help fill that gap, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada is hosting a virtual Ramadan event in Hamilton on May 16.
The event will be virtually attended by politicians and dignitaries and will include presentations on the importance of fasting and Ramadan itself, according to a release. All Hamilton residents are welcome to take part and learn about the month of Ramadan.
Those attending the event, slated to begin at 7:30 p.m., are encouraged to join the conversation around the event on social media using #VirtualRamadan. The live broadcast can be found at virtualramadan.ca.
Call to prayer
Last month, Hamilton City Council approved a motion allowing mosques to broadcast daily calls to prayer during the lockdown.
The “symbolic” twice-daily call to prayer, or adhaan — once at noon and again a half-hour before sunset — will be broadcast until the close of Ramadan on May 24.
Other regions in Canada and worldwide have also temporarily allowed the calls to prayer to be broadcast via outdoor speakers.
Each broadcasted call to prayer in Arabic lasts about two or three minutes.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com