Practicing Safe Ramadan amidst Coronavirus
Ramadan – One of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar will star its first day from April25’th, 2020. this month also encourages the spirit of charity and prayers. This month not just brings the aura of spiritual rejuvenation. But! it also brings out a system to help us organize. A routine to struggle & liberate ourselves from unbridled desires that drive our life in different paths. This month preaches for good deeds and self-control. This year we need to be practicing safe Ramadan amidst coronavirus outbreak.
with the strict Lockdown and Physical distancing directives to limit the unfold of the extremely contagious coronavirus. Several of Ramadan’s rituals and traditions are going to be curtailed this year.
We, at Patna Diaries, wish everyone a blissful month of Ramadan. And also for safe practicing of Ramadan amidst coronavirus pandemic. Here are some tips you should follow to make this Ramadan more productive and charitable.
Physical Distancing During Ramadan
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. With Ramadan at our doorstep, the surge in demand for food items is expected. But! Please don’t make this an excuse to be around in close proximity. Try to follow the following:
- Practice physical distancing by strictly maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) between people at all times.
- Instead of a handshake, or hugs, use culturally and religiously sanctioned greetings that avoid physical contact, such as waving, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart. In other word Let’s greet with old lovely Adaab
- Limit Community Iftaar. Ramadas is indeed the month of charity. But! it is also the month of control. Don’t let your desire takeover with the excuses of feeding poor or zakat. Think wisely, there is plenty of ways to do charity and help people for their iftaar than just organizing a community iftaar.
- Pray Indoors. During Ramadan, Tarawih can be done in your own houses. During Ramadan, Through Tarawih, people also get the benefit of completing the Quran. With, lockdown around, we can certainly use our time to amends this loss. All we need is a will.
Encourage Healthy Hygiene
Muslims perform wudu before prayers, which helps maintain healthy hygiene. Furthermore, the only wudu will not suffice this personal hygiene. you can consider additional measures:
- Ensure that handwashing facilities are adequately equipped with soap and water.
- Ensure the availability of disposable tissues and bins with disposable liners and lids, and guarantee the safe disposal of waste
- Encourage the use of personal prayer rugs to place over carpets
- Frequently clean often-touched objects such as doorknobs, light switches, and stair railings with detergents and disinfectant
Healthy Diet and Nutrition
Fasting in Ramadan carries a high risk of dehydration. Food and drinks are restricted from Suhoor (Pre Dawn Meal) to Iftar. Also, as in the initial days of Ramadan, waking up early in the morning for suhoor may cause sleep deprivation. this accompanied by dehydration may lead to headaches. Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during the month of Ramadan. Try the following:
- Don’t skip suhoor. Skipping suhoor prolongs your fasting period, as you have to rely on limited energy from you last meal only.
- Don’t overeat during iftaar. Iftaar has to be well-balanced nutritious food and not a feast. Over-eating can lead to indigestion and weight gain.
- Avoid eating fried foods and high sugar foods. It is not uncommon to find oily, sugary, and fried dishes during Ramadan. whilst they do taste good but make fasting the next day difficult.
- Drink as much water as possible. Keep yourself hydrated. make every effort of gulping 8 glasses of water before suhoor and after iftar.
Promoting mental and psychosocial health
Despite the different execution in practices this year, it is important to reassure the faithful that they can still reflect, improve, pray, share, and care – all from a healthy distance. Ensuring that family, friends, and elders are still engaged in light of physical distancing needs to be considered; encouraging alternate and digital platforms for interaction is paramount. Offering special prayers for the sick, alongside messages of hope and comfort, are methods to observe the tenants of Ramadan while maintaining public health.
