Unprecedented virus lockdown as Muslims mark Ramadan

Muslims around the world began marking Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown on Friday with unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers, while a pushback in some countries has sparked fears of a surge in infections.

This year, the holy daytime fasting month will be a sombre affair for many across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Widespread rules have been imposed banning praying in mosques or meeting relatives and friends for large “iftar” meals at dusk — a centrepiece of the month-long fast.

The restrictions have put a damper on spirits in Indonesia, the world’s biggest Muslim majority nation, where national religious organisations have called on the faithful to stay at home.

“This Ramadan is very different — it’s just not festive,” said Indonesian housewife Fitria Famela.

“I’m disappointed that I can’t go to the mosque, but what can we do? The world is different now.”

However, some religious leaders in Asia — home to nearly a billion of the world’s Muslims — have waved off fears about the spread of COVID-19.

The top Islamic organisation in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province publicly bucked a national order to stay at home.

Several thousand worshippers attended evening prayers Thursday at the biggest mosque in the region’s capital Banda Aceh, though crowds were smaller than usual.

“I’m not worried because I’m wearing a face mask and keeping my distance,” said Cut Fitrah Riskiah, one of those taking part.

– ‘We must accept it’ –

The threat of large religious gatherings has been highlighted in recent weeks by waves of infections in Asia linked to separate, massive Islamic congregations in Malaysia, Pakistan and India.

Regional COVID-19 death tolls have been lower than in Europe and the United States but are rising steadily, sparking fears the virus may overwhelm often underfunded healthcare systems.

And the World Health Organization has called for a stop to some Ramadan activities to limit exposure.

But in Bangladesh, clerics have pushed back at attempts to shrink the number of people going to mosques.

And Pakistan has seen its mosques crammed in the lead-up to Ramadan with the faithful sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and paying little heed to social distancing.

Mohamad Shukri Mohamad, the top Islamic cleric in the conservative Malaysian state of Kelantan, planned to skip public prayers and family meals — even if it meant not seeing his six children and 18 grandchildren.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve been unable to go to the mosque,” he told AFP.

“But we must accept it and obey the rules of social distancing to protect our lives.”

Muslim-majority Malaysia has extended a strict lockdown until mid-May with mosques, schools and most businesses closed — and police checkpoints set up to catch rulebreakers.

Even popular Ramadan bazaars, where Muslims buy local delicacies before breaking their fast, have been banned.

Instead, Malaysians can only order from so-called “e-bazaars”, where people order goods online and have them delivered to their homes.

– ‘Sinful’ –

In neighbouring Indonesia, Amalia Nur Istigfarin considered skipping Ramadan’s daytime fast over fears it could weaken her immune system.

“But it would be sinful to miss it because fasting is mandatory,” the bank employee said.

“So I’ll try other things to boost my immune system like exercise and taking vitamin C,” she added.

Fears of a spike in coronavirus cases when millions travel to hometowns and ancestral villages at the end of Ramadan has forced Indonesia — a country of some 260 million — to issue a ban on the annual exodus.

The government has also announced a clampdown on all air and sea travel across the 17,000-island archipelago.

“Thanks to technology I can video-call my parents every day during Ramadan,” he said. “And keep an eye on their health.”