Ramzan, the holy month for Muslim community, began on Friday
evening. Community members offered the first Tarawih or night prayers and
geared up for the first Roza on Saturday.
Muslim religious leaders across the world called on people
to ‘stay home and stay safe’ this Ramzan, keeping mosques closed and
congregational prayers on hold to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Muslims observe Ramzan by fasting during daylight hours, but
also essential to this holy month are gatherings to share meals and take part
in communal prayers, known as tarawih, or night prayers.
"Congregational prayers are a big part of the lives of
many Muslims generally, but even more so during Ramzan with tarawih prayers
held daily at many mosques across Indore," said Dr Ishrat Ali, Shahar
Qazi, said. Because of coronavirus pandemic, mosques have been shut down for
weeks to avoid mass gathering under series of measures to curb coronavirus
spread.
However, the community members were reminded that prayers
matter more than the gathering and none of them should neglect worship in these
tough times. “This is time when we need Allah’s help the most in saving lives
worldwide and especially Indore,” Ali said.
"We need to create humility and supplication in our
families and in our rooms," Zafar Shaikh, hotelier, said. He added that since
praying tarawih at home might be a new experience for many Muslims, guidelines
on how to carry out the night ritual during Ramzan have been explained to
individuals and even issued in writing.
"Your praying at home is always valid and doing so is
acceptable when compelling circumstances make attendance at a place of
congregation impractical or [as in this time of pandemic] harmful to yourself
or others," Dr Yunus Shaikh, community representative, said.