For the first time since the pandemic began, mosques are preparing to host prayers at full capacity now that most COVID-19 restrictions across the country have been lifted. “I think it will be very emotional for a lot of people. You do not feel what you have lost until you have it,” said Fuzan Khan, chief executive of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) – a mosque in Mississauga, west of Toronto. “We can now pray again as we did, we can break our fast as we did, we can be with each other as we did; and not have to stay home and watch an Internet connection,” Khan told CBC News. . “We have gone through all sorts of restrictions and rightly so, but people are looking forward to having this normal feeling of Ramadan.” Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Saturday based on the sighting of the new moon, will see Muslims around the world observing a period of daily fasting from dawn to dusk, paying particular attention to prayer, inner reflection and charitable acts. In homes around the world, family and friends will gather to meditate, break their fast, and celebrate with a common meal known as iftar. In the mosque, an iftar can be attended by hundreds or even thousands after a long day of fasting. Many will also participate in the voluntary afternoon prayers, known as tarawih, which take place only during the month of fasting. But as parts of the country face a sixth wave of pandemics, colleagues are encouraged to be vigilant and wear masks. Colleagues at ISNA are encouraged to wear masks amid a sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Paul Smith / CBC)

The Muslim medical team urges you to be careful

The Canadian Muslim Working Group on COVID-19, which has developed a set of guidelines for a safe Ramada, says that while mosque officials have registered for individual demonstrators in recent years, this year it is focusing on individual measures and smaller modifications to the tradition to keep the faithful safe. When it comes to breaking the fast, for example, the task force encourages mosques to hold iftar outdoors or to provide packed lunch boxes so that people do not gather in large numbers indoors without masks. Those who break the fast in each other’s home are encouraged to do so in constant bubbles to reduce the chance of the virus spreading. Dr. Mohammad Hashim Khan, a pulmonologist in Toronto, is the co-chair of the Canadian Muslim Working Group COVID-19, which has developed a set of guidelines for a safe Ramadan. (CBC)
The Working Group also encourages the use of rapid trials and for those who may not yet have a full range of vaccines to receive their third doses. Neither affects a person’s fast in any way, says Dr. Mohammad Hashim Khan, co-chair of the task force and a psychologist in Toronto. “We just need to make sure we are alert and smart, so that we do not throw away all the hard work that has been done over the last two years and not get sick and really benefit from the month of Ramadan and worship as much as we like,” he said. “And we hope we can do the best of the month.” The Covid-19 Canadian Muslim Working Group is excited to share our guidance for Ramadan 2022. For an executive summary of these guidelines, visit: pic.twitter.com/xOxQtyzSLM – @ cmcovidtf

Giving back

During a month when returns are particularly important, pandemic pressures mean that food movements, such as those run by groups like Unity in Community, are much more vital. The organization started in 2015 and collects thousands of pounds of food each year to deliver to those in need. “The pandemic has had a huge impact,” said Fasih Syed, the team’s organizer. “Every day we receive calls from people for groceries and we provide them.” Nisa Homes, a charity that supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse, poverty or homelessness, or asylum seekers, will be hosting iftar charities in many cities where individuals can donate while gathering to break their fast. At Lebanese Garden Restaurant in downtown Toronto, timely lifting of Ramadan restrictions is a relief in many ways – for the health of the business and the needs of the community. “We are waiting for a large crowd to come to break his fast and certainly many more parties in people’s homes and mosques,” said Mona Ahmed, the restaurant’s director. “So it will occupy us and it will occupy us.” For Mona Ahmed at the Lebanese Garden restaurant, the timely lifting of Ramadan restrictions was a relief in many ways. (Paul Smith / CBC)
But with the lifting of restrictions, there is something more to look forward to. “I look forward to visiting the mosques a lot more with my children… and really reconnecting with people I have become estranged from in the last two years,” Ahmed said. Back at ISNA, which was the site of a vaccination clinic at times during the pandemic, Fuzan Khan says returning to the mosque for prayer and church this year will be very special. “I think it’s a really emotional comeback.”