The struggles of a close-knit community during Ramadan and lockdown

Ramadan for millions worldwide is a time for celebration and practising faith, but with the lockdown restrictions still in force, this year is starkly different to previous years. The global population of devout Muslims are affected by being required to observe this Ramadan differently.

Mecca is only admitting vaccinated worshippers, the Saudi government have announced, although international travel restrictions have also made visits to the Muslim faith’s holiest of sites difficult at present.

In south London, the streets of Tooting at sunset should be filled with people waiting to collect their food for iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast . This year the queues are minimal, with precautions being taken seriously. It contrasts massively to years past when the high street was hard to get down due to the Muslim community coming together.

“The businesses that used to look forward to this month now find themselves in loss”

The halal restaurants in the area would usually thrive during Ramadan, but with restrictions still in place and no outdoor spaces available for some, there is too little income to be made. Dawat restaurant has been open and seems to be popular, but a fraction of the profits from previous years will do little to compensate for the hospitality industry’s crisis. One resident of the area explained: “Economically, Ramadan helped the halal food community; however, the businesses that used to look forward to this month now find themselves in loss, restaurants once thrived upon iftar time to make money.” 

The Bashir family opened up about their experience with the virus through this time. The family consists of Azeem, 27, Haleema, 30, Zainab, 27, Abid, 55, Umrana, 49 and Jamal, 24. Abid, the head of the household, is a private ambulance driver; this is thought to be where the virus was initially passed to the family who are originally from Gujrat in Pakistan but and now live in Norbury, south-west London.

“It drained our family physically and mentally. It was just a matter of keeping faith in Allah and staying positive.”

The pandemic has taught them (as well as many others) lessons the hard way. Jamal Bashir spent two weeks in intensive care due to contracting Covid-19. Being the youngest member of the family, this sent shockwaves through his kin.

Azeem Bashir said: “When we had Covid, it was the toughest time. Three weeks of our lives were the worst they had ever been, and I would never wish it on anyone.”

While many who have been lucky enough to avoid the virus would flaunt the rules, the Bashir family are not taking their chances due to the severe impact the virus has had on Jamal’s body. “It drained our family physically and mentally. It was just a matter of keeping faith in Allah and staying positive.”

Jamal Bashir is still feeling the effect of Covid-19 on his body now whilst the rest of the family seem to have recovered.

A typical day during Ramadan for the Bashir’s would be full of family and friends, celebration, coming together to pray, celebrate and be happy for what they have. This year, they feel the tolls of the restrictions more than last as the loss of loved ones has forced them to be strict on themselves.

“Families can’t meet for iftar, friends can’t eat together. The social aspect of Ramadan, togetherness and the sense of community and family has been affected massively by the pandemic.

“However, Covid and the losses of our loved ones have made us more grateful. Personally, it seems to me that it has brought us closer to Allah. We’re more grateful for the things we have and spend less time yearning for the things we desire.”

It appears for this family the pandemic, although separating people from each other, has brought them closer to one another and their faith.

Previously, mosques in the area would be teeming with life, of a coming together between households, giving the elderly a place to go to be needed. With many other aspects of life, this has dramatically changed. Azeem explained: “People who used to go to the mosque, meet their friends and family there for Taraweeh prayers are unable to do so. The elderly, who fall in the vulnerable category, once a major part for mosques and local communities have either passed away due to covid-19 or unable to go to mosque due to restrictions.”   

Hopefully, with seemingly a light at the end of the tunnel through vaccines, the next Ramadan period will be a much more social event, more like years past.

Feature image by KUALA TERENGGANU afby71 Pixabay.