Thousands mark second Ramadan hit by Covid-19
TENS of thousands of Muslims around the West are marking the second Ramadan to be affected by coronavirus.
Restrictions due to the pandemic this year are more relaxed than they were in 2020, when the holy month began only a few weeks into the first national lockdown.
Ramadan began last month on Monday, April 12 and is due to end on May 12 or May 13, depending on the lunar cycle.
The Islamic calendar is based on the cycle of the moon, which is why the dates change each year by approximately 10 days.
Ramadan falls during the ninth month and involves fasting between dawn and sunset, and increased focus on prayer, good deeds, self-discipline and self-improvement.
Norah El-Gohary, cultural awareness officer at Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, said people are adapting to the changes this year after the tougher restrictions in 2020.
The trainee teacher said: “It’s still a change but people are making the most to practise within the restrictions, just like everyone has been doing with everything else in their life right now.
We’ve been through this for a year now and people are used to it NORAH EL-GOHARY
“We’ve been through this for a year now and people are used to it, are more relaxed in general and people are getting their vaccines – it feels different.
“You can’t have a big gathering or party but you are allowed to be with another family [under the twohousehold rule].”
The 2011 Census suggested there are more than 22,000 Muslims living in Bristol, and the city is proud host to one of the largest Grand Iftar events in the country.
Usually thousands of people gather along St Marks Road in the Easton area of the city to break the fast together, with people of all faiths and none uniting to sit and eat to mark Eid, the end of Ramadan.
But this year the event will not be able to go ahead for the second year in a row.
A virtual event is being planned instead.
It would have been held just days before the Government is due to relax lockdown again on May 17, but even then gatherings of more than 30 people outside will still be banned.
Ms El-Gohary said she thought the government’s road map was probably designed to ensure restrictions are still in place during Eid, when usually there would be mass gatherings across the country.
The 47-year-old mother of four, who lives in Clifton, added: “It makes sense – when you’re breaking your fast you usually go to people’s houses and eat together, which would have been risky.
“This year people can potentially meet outside in gardens, as opposed to last year when you couldn’t see anyone at all as it was ‘proper’ lockdown.”
Another difference this year is that places of worship are allowed to open, with certain restrictions in place.
Ms El-Gohary said: “This year you can go to the mosque, whereas last year they weren’t open as Ramadan was at the very start of lockdown, so it was quite restrictive.”
She said she has chosen to pray at home with her family, as there is limited space at the mosque and she does not want to take the place of someone who is more in need of the interaction.
She explained: “You have to sign up [for a place] and I feel other people need it more than me, especially people who are on their own who miss seeing people.
“A lot of people, especially older people on their own, have suffered the most as they are worried about their health and they are missing all the social gatherings.
“Generally observing Ramadan is a personal, spiritual experience, but obviously a big part is being together with other people and sharing, which for a long time people haven’t been able to do.”
Ms El-Gohary is a trainee teacher in religious education at Bristol Cathedral Choir School, which is due to hold a virtual Iftar after staff take part in a sponsored fast.
The fundraiser is taking place in partnership with Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, with the donations going to Bristol food banks.
She said it was “awesome” to see her school engaging so actively to recognise and celebrate Ramadan.
Muslims are being encouraged to still have their coronavirus vaccines if they are offered it, with officials offering assurances that having the vaccine will not break their fast and does not contain animal products.