…Speaks on Impact of COVID19 Pandemic on Ramadan

The Islamic Welfare Foundation has felicitated with Nigerians, especially Muslim faithfuls on the occasion of this year’s Eid-il-Fitr celebration.

The foundation which gave thanks and adorations to “almighty Allah the Lord of the day of resurrection and judgement”, prayed that the blessings and favours of Allah be upon all Muslims as they celebrate Eid-il-Fitr which means “festival of breaking the fast” and marks the end of the month of Ramadan.

In a statement by the National Coordinator of the Islamic Welfare Foundation, Engr. Abu Salami, the body noted that “Eid-il-Fitr is one of the most important festival of Muslims in the Islamic calendar. The significance of Eid-il-Fitr is purely spiritual.”

The statement added that this day “does not mark any historical event but its existence gives Muslims an occasion to offer thanks to almighty Allah for having given us the strength and the will to observe fast and obey His commandments during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Going by our motto that says “Certainly my worship, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah (Q6:162), IWF wishes to remind Muslims that a successful life is built upon consistent prayers, humility, sacrifices, patience and forgiveness.

“May our prayers and all our good deeds be accepted by Allah and May He turn our burdens into blessings, disappointments into favours, misfortunes into fortunes and grant us complete guidance now and forever.

“May Almighty Allah include us amongst those who will reap the blessings of this Holy Month of Ramadan”, the foundation prayed.

It further stated that though Ramadan is coming to an end, the foundation enjoined all Muslims not to let the end of the holy month mark the end of their good deeds.

“Let us continue to be good to people, keep being charitable and continue to learn to abstain from every form of evil.

“As Muslims we need to continue engaging Allah spiritually to help us bring the rampaging novel CoronaVirus (COVID-19) to an end. Let us continue the worship of Allah in truth without compromise.

“This year’s Ramadan has recorded some historic landmarks in the annals of mankind leading to the closure of so many places of worship due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The holidays will be a bit different this year because Islamic holy sites, including Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia as well as Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, were empty during Ramadan and will continue to be empty during the Eid-il-Fitr festival based on established pandemic protocols by authorities of the worshipping sites one of which is advising worshipers to stay and pray at home.

“For Muslims, a big part of the holy month consists of special night prayers called “taraweeh,” which are held daily at the mosque.

”Historically speaking, mosques are packed with worshipers during the month of Ramadan, and most people use to be on Ummrah in Mecca and Medina.

“The pandemic made all these impossible.
Part of the covid experience is virtual iftars which is an opportunity to interact with others when breaking fast in the evening.

“Post COVID-19, some traditions will remain in place, and others might change.
Muslims will focus on individual prayer habits and turn isolation into inner peace.

“Although when you tell people, it’s actually good for you to learn individual prayer habits right now, people have a hard time making the connection because they’re so used to praying at the mosque.

“Observation of congregational prayers by observing distancing as it is now being practiced in the various Islamic holy sites around the world.

“Part of the concerns raised by practices during the COVID-19 era is that the shift to temporary virtual worship could lead to an eventual lack of interest for in-person prayer.

“There’s something about embrace and praying together and being together and upholding traditional ritualistic forms of worship, we should not lose that because we’re feeling down about being quarantined this Ramadan. Muslims are encouraged not to do something that’s going to harm the trajectory later on.

“Let’s see this festive period as a good time for self-reflection, despite Ramadan being a solely communal experience and a spiritual retreat.

“My wish for all of us is longevity, wellness, sound health and spiritual enhancement. May Allah keep us safe and guided till the next Ramadan”, the foundation concluded.

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