Bay Area Muslims Observe Ramadan in the Coronavirus Era
By Linda Zavoral
The hilal, or crescent moon, has been sighted in the night sky, ushering in the holy month of Ramadan.
For the hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the Bay Area, this year's observance -- which runs through May 23 -- will be much different than previous ones, coming as it does during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 92 mosques in five central Bay Area counties have been shuttered since March 12, even before public health orders required that congregational prayers no longer be held. And they will stay that way for the health and safety of the community, according to the Northern California Islamic Council.
While acknowledging that "it's a difficult moment," Hatem Bazian, chairman of the NCIC, urged Muslims to meet their spiritual needs in safe, socially distanced ways.
"Worshiping the divine is contingent on you being alive to worship," he said Thursday at a virtual press conference.
During Ramadan, a time for self-reflection and faith renewal, Muslims observe fasting and abstinence from sunrise to sunset. At nighttime, after prayer, a meal is shared, often with friends and relatives. The month culminates in what is normally a large community festival, Eid al-Fitr. Bazian said this year's feast will be celebrated at home with the communal aspect taking place online.
To help the observant maintain sheltering-in-place, he said the council will introduce a month's worth of virtual religious guidance, including daily recitations of the Qur’an and talks each night.
"There's no gathering for breaking the fast, no gathering for prayers," he said, until told otherwise by health and government officials.
Local Muslims say they will adjust to the new normal.
"It's a month of solidarity, charity and meditation," said Samir Bentaieb of Santa Clara. He's been working long six-day weeks in a sheltered job, so adhering to the guidelines while observing Ramadan won't be an issue. "When you don't eat all day, it's purifying."
South Bay mother Sameena Usman said, "It's definitely going to be very different, especially for people with children." For nights when they would normally break the fast with others, "We're going to do Zoomed dinner parties. We'll just bring the food over to the computer."
On May 1, the Islamic Council said, Muslims will mark a global Day of Gratitude, inviting members of other faiths to join them in thanking public health providers, EMT personnel, farm workers, grocery store, food delivery and supply chain workers, fire, police and all others on the front lines of service.
"One who has not thanked people has not thanked God," Bazian said.
Of particular concern during this health crisis is what Bazian described as "unknown pockets of food insecurity." He encouraged Muslims to reach out to their local mosque for assistance as needed.
If the Bay Area's sheltering-in-place orders should be lifted before the next crescent moon, then Bazian said the council would meet to decide next steps. There would be a "coordinated opening" of mosques, plus a deep cleaning of all properties, before worshippers are invited back in. – The Mercury News
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