Lockdown makes Ramadan a family celebration once again for students

The Ramadan atmosphere is different this year for Muslims as the world fights a pandemic, the novel Coronavirus. In South Africa, with lockdown regulations banning social gatherings and the use of religious facilities in large groups, this has therefore become a less festive month for Muslims.

Ramadan, the holiest month of the year where Muslims abstain from eating and drinking  from dawn until dusk, usually means increased distribution of charity, nightly prayers that are performed at the mosque and breaking fasts in large groups.

This year, Ramadan is quiet, to say the least. For students Ramadan is usually chaotic because of university schedules and deadlines, but also a special time as you get to break your fast in large groups of friends.

In my experience this year, Ramadan at home has been more spiritually awakening and peaceful. Usually, as a student, I am constantly engaged in school work or extracurricular activities that do not allow me to be fully present in the experiences of Ramadan. Although there is still the stress of online learning, I have found that planning one’s time is the best solution.

The state of lockdown has made many Muslim students return home to spend the month with family, something that they can’t usually do.

Muhammed Reeza Hoosen, Muslim Student Association (MSA) Potchefstroom Chairperson, said, “Ramadan is harder this year because of balancing academic work, ibadah (worship) and household chores, which requires a lot of mental focus. I do miss having iftar (breaking the fast meal) with my friends, reading taraweeh (a nightly prayer that is prayed during the month of Ramadan) on campus and going to the Bult at night to get ice cream or Chicken Licken.”

Before Ramadan Muslims wait for the month’s moon to arrive for the fasting period to commence. This year it began on 24 April and continues for 29 to 30 days, depending on the moon.

During Ramadan Muslims engage in prayer, read the holy Quran, give to charity and abstain from evil acts. 

During this month, Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor where breakfast foods are usually eaten to provide sustenance for the whole day.

The fast is then broken at sunset with a meal known as iftar, usually starting with a date and water. Savoury foods such as samoosas or pies follow, which are eaten along with nut milk known as kheer or home made milkshake. Large iftars are usually hosted at the mosques for the poor and needy and a nightly prayer called taraweeh is held every night at the mosque. One of the most popular traditions is to invite guests over to break fast with.

To curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus this year those traditions are no more.

Nashiya Zaman, 22, a third year student said, “It’s been a while since I have been home for Ramadan since I’ve been to university. I think that being home this time of the year really allows you to experience the significance of this holy month with family.” Although circumstances have changed this year, Muslims all over the world still use this time for reflection, gratitude and connecting with one’s creator. 

The end of the fasting period is predicted to end on 24 May 2020, with a celebration that is called Eid-ul-Fitr meaning “Festival of breaking the fast” where families and friends come together to eat all kinds of foods prepared by their loved ones.