Ramadan begins amid
coronavirus lockdown
 |
| A soldier guards a closed mosque in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad (AFP) |
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan gets underway, though holy
sites across the Middle East are deserted due to Covid-19 social-distancing
measures.
By Nathan Morley
For Muslims everywhere, long-standing traditions, such as
gatherings with family and evening prayers, are being disrupted as people are
forced to isolate.
The world’s 1.8 billion Muslims are adjusting to a
month-long holy period of fasting and reflection, as mosques remain closed and
feasts after dusk are held in private.
Modified lockdowns
Some countries have amended curfews to make it easier for
people to shop for food.
Egypt's government is allowing more businesses to reopen,
and supermarkets and businesses can stay open on weekends until sundown.
Algeria too is easing confinement directives and shortening
curfews in some districts around Algiers.
In the Gaza Strip, all mosques will remain closed throughout
the holy month.
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, all
non-essential travel between provinces has been banned in order to contain the
virus.
However, reports suggest that mosques in Pakistan have been
full in the lead-up to Ramadan, despite calls for tighter restrictions.
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