Celebrating Ramadan in 2021

Photo: Abdul Qaiyoom - stock.adobe.com

Ramadan Mubarak to our readers

As the holy month of Ramadan starts this week, we would like to say Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim readers. May the blessings of the month Ramadan be on you all.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is observed worldwide by Muslims as a month for fasting. It is the month when the Holy Qur’an was revealed and honours the values at the heart of Islam.

Mosques are at the centre of activities associated with Ramadan. It is a month of giving to charity, looking after others, showing compassion and mercy. It’s about self-reflection and devotion to the creator. It’s a time for reflection and meditation.

The Rochdale Council of Mosques (RCM) has advised all mosques in the borough to adhere to rules created to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. Mosques in Rochdale are busy adapting their places of worship to welcome back worshippers who last year were deprived of congregational worship. This has meant adapting their premises for a reduced congregation and putting measures in place to reduce the transmission of the virus.

The roadmap out of lockdown has eased some of the restrictions. This has allowed communal worship, which is an important aspect during the month of Ramadan. The opening of the fast (Iftar) is discouraged in the mosque this year. No sharing of food will take place, instead attendees will be asked to bring individually packed dates and water for themselves. This will ensure touch points are avoided thus reducing the risk of transmission.

Tahir Mahmood, Chair of Rochdale Council of Mosques, said: "We have advised people to stay at home if they are clinically vulnerable and not attend the extra late evening congregational Taraaweeh prayers in the mosque. The mosques have played an instrumental role in the role out of the vaccine by becoming pop up centres for vaccine administration. We continue to encourage take up of the vaccine to keep ourselves and the community safe.”

"On behalf of the RCM, we would like to wish everyone marking this month of fasting a very happy, healthy and peaceful Ramadan. We hope that Ramadan at home and in our mosques will be a safe and pleasant one for everyone.

"We send peace and blessings to everyone in the borough and pray for an end to this pandemic - Wash Hands, Cover face, Make space, Fresh air. We’re all in this together."