Ramzan in Lockdown
Muslims spent Razman & Eid under lockdown that changed prayers at mosques, Iftar parties & shopping this year
For Muslims in Pondicherry, like their counterparts all over the world, the holy month of Ramadan has been spent in lockdown this year. Mosques remain closed due to Covid-19 and the pandemic has hit an integral part of Islamic culture- collective worship and gatherings that bring people together.
Huzefa Lal, a member of the Bohri community talks about how everyone would cook up meals and eat them together. “Around 60 -70 of us would break fast and eat dinner together at our community hall. This year we had to do in our houses without meeting anyone.” While many annual traditions have been altered this year, the faithful have found ways to pray and come together virtually.
How Iftar and shopping changed this year
For Suhail Sathar, a student in Pondicherry staying away from his family, it has been a bittersweet experience this year. “During this month what matters most is to go to relatives’ houses and celebrate iftar together. We also take this month to mend all the familial ties and forgive all fights.” Finash Mohemad, another student, says, “This is our first Ramadan in Pondicherry away from home. It has been challenging to keep fast and cook. I miss my mom’s cooking- we try to manage with what we have without going out.”
Some missed the tradition of festival shopping, but women like Salma Syed saw it as a blessing. “Most of us decided not to go shopping and so this is the first Ramzan without brand new clothes. Still we are happy about it and we can spend that on charity.” The celebration this year won’t be the same, she acknowledges. “I will miss meeting relatives and friends, but this Ramzan has given me more time to pray and stay closer to my family.”
A difficult Eid for some
For Muslims who are daily wage earners it has been a challenging Ramzan. Shabana, a house help and mother of three has been struggling to make ends meet. For the past two months she has been asked not to come to work and has not been paid. “Most of the days we break our fast with just water and bread. The days I can manage, I get some potato or tomatoes. My husband is stuck in Chennai and it is up to me to feed my three children. Every year we used to get food from the mosques or other Muslim families but this year that has not happened. Our Eid this year may be a hungry one.”
But pandemic or not, Eid will be celebrated this year too, with smiles. While some will have their plates full and wish each other virtually, some will be happy with whatever food and clothing that comes their way.
Pondylive wishes our readers Eid Mubarak
Find latest Covid19 Pondicherry numbers here
PHOTOS BY NARAYANA SANKAR (2017)
