Observing Ramadan during the Covid-19 crisis is proving to be a positive experience for Otago Muslim Association chairman Mohammed Rizwan.
‘‘This month of Ramadan in lockdown has been, for myself, one of the best Ramadans.’’
Since April 23, Muslims across the world have been observing the holiest month in the Islamic calendar which this year has coincided with measures to control the spread of Covid-19.
Isolated with his family in North Taieri, the University of Otago Department of Anatomy research fellow has left his home just twice since the lockdown began.
As well as fasting between sunrise and sunset, the month’s activities are supposed to include time in seclusion, and appreciating things usually taken for granted, he said.
‘‘This seclusion has given us the opportunity to be closer to our God, to be closer to our loved ones, and appreciate all the things we usually take for granted.’’
Throughout Ramadan, Dunedin’s adherents usually gathered every sunset at the local mosque for a meal to break their daily fast.
This year they are having to celebrate their daily iftar (fast meal) at home.
‘‘What this lockdown Ramadan has brought us is that we are able to do that with our families, with our loved ones, within our own isolation bubble,’’ he said.
Ramadan ends on the evening of Saturday, May 23, with a special prayer and meal in a celebration called Eid-al-Fitr.
In past years the event had drawn about 500 Muslims from across Otago to gather at the More FM Arena, but Dr Rizwan said plans for such a large congregation remained uncertain for this year.
‘‘At what level we are and what the Ministry of Health guidelines are, we will adhere to that.’’
