MUSLIMS around the world including Zambia have today began fasting to observe the month of Ramadan.
But due to the Coronavirus which has infected more than 2 million people and killed more than 170, 000 globally – this will be a different kind of Ramadan.
The coronavirus pandemic will see the world’s Muslim population – about 2 billion people – observe the holy month of Ramadan in new ways, refraining from social gatherings to break fasts, abandoning communal prayers and even providing charity at a distance.
In most Muslim-majority nations, mosques have closed and Friday prayers, which gather up to thousands of worshippers at a time, have been suspended.
Scholars have urged Muslims to perform their Ramadan prayers at home.
From dusk to dawn, adult healthy Muslims are obligated to fast absconding from drink, food and sexual intercourse while they are encouraged to be charitable, prayerful and practice good neighborliness.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which also includes, testifying in the existence of God, five daily prayers, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Pregnant and menstruating women, the sick, children and those on a journey are exempted from observing the fast.
Wish Muslims Happy Ramadan!
NOTE: File picture used for illustration
© Kalemba April 24, 2020
