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Three Years After Covid, Mosques Open Up to Ramadan Once Again in America

Syed Khaled Shahbaaz | Clarion India

THREE years after the Covid 19 pandemic shut doors of organisations including religious institutions like Masjids globally, many Muslims were overjoyed while many were deeply humbled to be able to experience the bliss of Ramadan once again. From congregational prayers in full attendance to iftars and Islamic sermons, Ramadan was celebrated with full fervour. Several Muslims even offered special prayers to express gratitude to the Creator for a pandemic-free Ramadan, finally.

Mosques were laced with Islamic décor while Fanoos (Egyptian lanterns) in intricate Islamic designs welcomed the devotees back to Mosques. ‘Ramadan Kareem’ tapestry, Islamic calligraphy, and decorative banners adorned the walkways and corridors. From balloons shaped like the crescent moon to camels at the entrance of the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit (IAGD), everything sets the mood for Ramadan.  The situation is common across most, if not all Islamic centers, which opened their doors for Muslims once again after a nearly 3-year long covid-triggered hiatus.

Mufti Rabbani delivering a talk for the series Ramadan Morsels at Islamic Association of Greater Detroit in Michigan

From intellectual sermons that tug at heartstrings by Dr. Muneer Fareed and khutbahs in barebones Urdu by Mufti Rabbani at IAGD to the annual three-day retreat for Muslims in i’tikaf at the Darussalam Masjid, one of the largest Islamic centers in west Chicago, each centre has crafted its own way to celebrate Ramadan.

In New York, mid-taraweeh sermons by different imams at the Islamic Cultural Center, one of the largest mosques in the city exhilarate a large populace in attendance.  Ramadan grocery giveaways and donation boxes to help the deserving, the student community, and particularly the Afghan refugees teemed with toys, gifts, dates, and everyday essentials seemed a common sight.

From the soul-refreshing recitation of the Holy Quran at the Muslim Unity Center in Michigan to the Adam Community Center that is struggling to establish itself as the first mosque of the Troy city, from everyday iftars at the Islamic Center of Kent in Washington to several such centers across the United States, there is a different approach to Ramadan in America. Every community, from Arab to Bangladeshi, from Indian to Yemeni, has a mosque they can call their own. But largely, except for the English sermons, the mosques have an unmistakable Saudi charm when it comes to the interiors, the Quranic recitation, the ambiance, and the prayer rugs. Some centers with a larger Arab community in their vicinity even serve Arabic food in suhoor and iftar-dinners.

People waitinf for Taraveeh prayers at the Muslim community center of Charlotte.

Student associations of Arabs in the United States organised iftar programmes. One such iftar was organised by the Saudi Students Association at Oakland University. The Indian Muslim community across the United States held iftar programmes turn by turn each week. Naat and Quranic recitations by Hyderabadi youngsters and the youth were part of these events. So were the scrumptious Biryani, Haleem, and Hyderabadi Chai.

Donation boxes for Afghan refugees were brimming with toys and essentials, and volunteers of different charity organizations invited the public to donate Zakat and Fitra after Taraveeh prayers in most mosques.

In Illinois, the Chicago Muslim Medical Alliance, the largest body of Muslim physicians in the United States held a grand iftar followed by a lavish spread of Hyderabadi cuisine. Nearly 500 people, including scores of elected US representatives, Arabs, and Indian Americans, attended the event.

Every Ramadan, we have an extended opportunity to show the world how peaceful Islam is with such gatherings. The social exchange also helps mitigate misconceptions about Muslims among other communities”, said CMMA founder Dr. Tajammul Hussain.

Consul General of India in Houston: An iftar event hosted by Consulate General of India in Houstin attended by diplomatic core, members of city administration and over 120 people of Indian Muslim Community in Houston. 

The Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) made arrangements for helping the deserving strata of the community with its charity drive, said IMRC President Maqsood Quadri.

This year’s Ramadan was special as the Muslim community observed a pandemic-free Ramadan for the first time in three years since the onset of Covid-19 virus.

Faces of several musallis lit up with wide smiles as Ramadan began nearly 25 days ago. For 32-year-old Anwar un Nabi, who travels to Madina city in Saudi Arabia every Ramadan, the experience was quite memorable. “I’ve been waiting for the mosques to reopen since the pandemic. It’s an indescribable bliss to be able to pray at Masjids once again.”

Iftar time

In 2019, masjids and Islamic centres were closed to the public.  In 2020 and the next year, there were restrictions on gathering and social distancing rules in place.

After the Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, restrictions imposed by governments across the globe led Muslims to observe Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, for the first time in nearly a century. Mosques shut down, devotees offered even the obligatory Eid prayers at home.

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