Story by: Yunus Swalahudeen
Source: millennium news online
Muslims in most parts of the world have responded negatively to the devastating persistence of the novel virus that has mar the beauty of their annual ritual commemoration of Ramadan and feast festival, known as “EIDL FITR”
Unlike previous year’s, people were compelled to fast in a tensed atmosphere and celebrated their feast festival in confinement. In Ghana, the usual gathering in large crowed to observed the Eid prayer was restricted as Muslims were made to pray in their homes with their families, while the national chief imam of Ghana, sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu in the company of few congregant, observed ‘virtual Eid’ from the studios of the state broadcaster.
Afternoon of Sunday would have been climaxed with series of events to commemorating the day, however, the entire street of Accra and other regions responded negative in that regard, as there was a strict security lens over the country against anyone or group of people who would have made an attempt to violate the restriction orders. There was no decoration of palanquins, chiefs’ horse parade and display, motor riders were totally put on hibernation. The entire country was just ‘dead outside’ but lively within the family.
This year has been extremely difficult for everyone across the world. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees with a profound lesson of humanity and solidarity.
The novel coronavirus does not discriminate anyone based on age, race, color, faith or socioeconomic status. Muslims are affected equally, like all followers of other religions. Despite not able to congregate at the places of worship and not able to feed poor openly during the Holy month of Fasting, Muslims have stood alongside Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and other to ward off the pandemic.
The refugees, in particular, face a difficult challenge with the pandemic looming in the camps, the impossible social distancing in cramped camps and the restriction of internet connectivity.
At the same time, continuous human rights abuses and being trapped in the fight between Military and civil society. They too are under lockdown in IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps and villages. Despite mosques and places of worship are forcibly shutdown and Refugees are prohibited to congregate and perform daily prayers, they have shown resilient to stand firmly for peace and justice.