For obvious reasons Muslims observing Ramadan worldwide the past month had been impacted by lockdown limitations as the global threat required adapting to the status quo. The period of fasting and self-reflection came to an end this morning.
In certain instances, it was learnt, age-old religious customs were apparently performed with the assistance of alternative somewhat unorthodox electronic channels facilitated through modern technology during this time, as devout worshippers attempted to maintain the usual rituals.
Polokwane resident Shaazia Bava, who resides in the suburb of Nirvana, compared the changes having had to be made this year with past undertakings and referred to current arrangements largely affecting family gatherings and mosque prayer sessions and to a lesser degree the customary exchange of gifts.
On the contrary she stressed a greater availability of community members confined to their homes during lockdown to volunteer for distributing goodwill through the usual feeding scheme and hamper drives. “Charity is a main part of our religion and it is highly encouraged.”
She mentioned logistical changes restricted Taraweeh (night prayers) in mosques, I’tikaf (the Islamic practice of staying in a mosque for a number of days devoting oneself to prayer and keeping from worldly affairs), mass Iftars (the meal at the end of a day’s fast) with family and friends, weekend gatherings after the night prayers that would normally go on until the pre-fasting meal time, Haleem (the distribution of nutritional soup in little pots), Eid morning prayers in an open-air Eidgah and the subsequent gathering of families. Eid is preceded by the sighting of the moon with the naked eye after the breaking of the fast on the 30th night of Ramadan.
In addition, group gatherings to recite verses from the Quran have been conducted virtually this year, she explained.
“It has definitely awakened a lot in us all as to what we used to be able to do and how we take certain things for granted. May we appreciate all that we are able to do in the future,” she said.
She further referred to it being common practise for Muslims to buy clothes for Eid in keeping with a sunnah or prescription to wear something new during the holy feast. “However, many people grow out of the habit and simply wear anything chic from their wardrobe instead of buying something new. This was enforced on full scale due to restrictions in place and salary or jobs cuts”.
Exchanging of pre-Ramadan and Eid gifts with family has been limited with lockdown restrictions on travel and courier deliveries this time round, she continued.
With things being done differently this year Shaazia, an early childhood development educator with a knack for graphic design, initiated and compiled an electronic memoir of Ramadan 2020 for her 4-year-old son, Ammaar and his schoolmates whom she realised would be missing the annual treats characterising the mass Iftar. With this in mind she asked for the submission of recipes with photos from the other moms.
The finished product is a lively read enhanced with facts and fun factors, cooking tips, recipes for yum snacks and accompanying photos from participants’ kitchens. It could only have been met with approval.
Photo: Supplied
Shaazia Bava and son Ammaar with the e-recipe book that serves as Ramadan 2020 keepsake.
Absolutely spot on.. We said