Sunny Dua
Like every year, Muslims around the world, especially those in Jammu and Kashmir are elated to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan praying, fasting, doing charity, feeding the poor and having a good time on Eid al-Fitr – three-day religious feast that marks its end. Ideally, millions of Muslims prefer Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina during this month but since entire world has come to a grinding halt and Saudi Arabia, in order to secure the safety of all Muslims and nationals, too have urged them to hold onto signing any agreements with tour operators until a clear vision is developed on pandemic, there are no chances of anyone flying out of UT of J&K as well.
Ramadan, considered as one of the five pillars of Islam is also a time when followers go in for self-exercise in restraint which means physically and spiritually detoxifying and kicking impulses. This self-restrain is vigorously practised during this holy month of Ramadan which this year has come as a boon for several labourers and working class help-up in Jammu and Kashmir due to pandemic followed by two successive lockdowns. Those stuck were being fed by various NGOs and even government but Ramadan is going to be a godsend help as Muslims across the UT will be opening more doors of charity, food and clothes to them.
Ever since Lockdown 1.0 and now ongoing Lockdown 2.0, people of different faiths and religions in Jammu and Kashmir have celebrated their respective festivals while staying indoors but didn’t allow the spirit to be dampened. Beginning from March 24 when first Lockdown was announced festivals like Navratri, Shab-e-Miraj, Mela Bahu-Fort, Ramnavmi, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday and even Baisakhi and Ambedkar Jayanti were all celebrated indoors but with same enthusiasm. Now, Muslims around the globe too have decided to stay indoors, pray, perform their rituals and do charity in neighbourhood during the holy month of Ramadan.
Imam, Khateeb Markazi Jamia Masjid, TalaB Khatikan, Jammu, Mufti Mohd Annayat Ullah Qasmi when contacted said that this holy month of Ramadan is meant to pray and do charity. Now that pandemic has restricted movement of people, all Muslims must perform Namaz at home only and ensure that travellers who are stuck here, labourers, daily wagers and those workers who are unable to earn their bread and butter must be fed regularly irrespective of their cast, creed, region or religion. Though Muslims are continuing to help needy yet there should be no laxity in ensuring help to anyone who’s in need of it during these testing time, he asserted. He even went on to say that if needed one must cook simple food instead of lavish meals but must help poor and hungry.
Referring to government advisories, Mufti Mohd Annayat Ullah Qasmi said, ‘we have decided to allow five persons in one mosque each for all prayers and rest of the people can perform Namaz at their respective homes without crowding. They have also been told to adopt necessary precautions of maintaining social distance and possibly getting own Janamaz (prayer rug) to mosque every time they come for offering Namaz. He informed that everyone has been told to pray for end to this pandemic at the end of every Namaz so that entire world could once again cone back on rails and people start doing their routine works normally.
It was only last month that Hindus at the end of Navratras were unable to immerse Sakh (Khetri) in rivers and lakes because of Lockdown. While some volunteered to collect Sakh from different homes and immersed the same in rivers many dug pit in their lawns and performed rituals. Similarly, Sikhs too kept Baisakhi a low key affair and prayed in their respective homes. Now, Muslims have decided to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramdan by keeping it confined to home celebrations alone. Mufti Annayat Qasmi also added that parents must guide their children about the present day situation and assure them grand celebrations on a different occasion post-pandemics.
Since a big help amid pandemic lockdown is coming towards help-up labourers, workers, daily wagers and even travellers in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, this is the only silver lining visible in these testing times until a vaccine for the virus is developed. Till them people irrespective of their cast, creed, region or religions will have to follow government advisories religiously. Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar when holy book of the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Muslims also believe that during this month the gates to heaven are open and the doors to hell are closed.
Shahi Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmed of Fatehpuri mosque in Delhi too has issued a public appeal asking Muslims to pray at home during Ramzan and not step-out while fasting to combat novel Corona virus spread. He has even urged people not to invite neighbours to form a Jamaat and maintain social distancing which for the moment is only was to combat this infection from spreading.
An overview of disease
With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Corona Virus as pandemic and this catastrophe now in its third month, heads of over 206 affected countries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have all sounded an alert asking people to adhere to government advisories, social distancing being one amongst prime ‘DOs’ during this crucial stage, especially when spreading of this epidemic, if not taken care of, is likely to cause colossal damages to human race. Other than 206 countries and territories around the world two international conveyances including Diamond Princess Cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan and the Holland America’s MS Zaandam cruise ship were also hit by Corona Virus which kept sailing despite the pandemic spread.
In this era of ‘social media’ when novice are not taking pandemic seriously, spreading rumours and not adhering to advisories, the only weapon against this deadly virus available with even mightiest of Nuclear-Nations is nothing but ‘social distancing’. Maintaining this by staying home, not coming in contact with people, avoiding unnecessary travel, staying hygienic, maintaining distance, not panicking, not hoarding, being supportive and primarily listening to World Health Organisation (WHO), union as well as state advisories is the only way out.
Holding on to these few instructions are sure to slow down virus spreading or even making it die its own death till biggest of pharmaceutical companies come out with a vaccine. This is what is required to be done and there’s no choice available as well. Strangely when this virus has brought mightiest of nuclear nations on knees and when several ‘Gods’ have also shut their doors on ‘humans’ the only species left out to bring ‘humans’ out of this upheaval is none other than ‘humans’ themselves. Answer to how and when lies in their understanding of the gravity of situation and their actions taken accordingly.
When nothing is working and we don’t have any antidote available, just a simple formula of staying in isolation is believed to be only way out. Cities after cities are adopting unprecedented measures probably one of its kind during peace time and locking themselves down. While people are flying home, students are retreating, work from home is being encouraged brave-hearts left on jobs are doctors, paramedical staff and those manning essential services to keep the live moving in cities and villages. These are testing times and nothing should be left undone by commoners to dump this virus as soon as possible.
About 26 lakh (World Health Organisation figure 24,71,136) people are so far now affected with this deadly virus, about 1.70 Lakh (WHO 1,69,006) have died and a positive sign is that nearly 7.23 Lakh have even recovered as well. Having surfaced from a Chinese seafood and poultry market last December (A leak theory is also making rounds) and spread in over 206 countries this virus is not stopping at all. With each passing day more cases are being reported from all over the world but unless rising graph doesn’t scale down or completely flatten, nothing much can be said about it. To reiterate, self lockdown and a complete patience while dealing with the situation is necessary beyond choice.
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