Two million Muslims from Spain live their first Ramadan in confinement - La Provincia


More than 2.1 million Muslims living in Spain fasting of the month of Ramadan "in special circumstances, never experienced before", without the possibility of praying in mosques and without breaking the fast in community, due to the measures of confinement due to the pandemic of the coronavirus COVID-19, but "with the same enthusiasm" as any year.

"It is true that this year we will face the month of Ramadan in a different way, but is still very special to Muslims, we live it with the same enthusiasm as any year. Confinement in itself does not affect fasting, since Ramadan is an act of personal worship and purification, rather it affects the community and social environment that it has. We are going to continue fasting the same, we are going to continue reading the Koran, and doing the prayer, but we will do it at home, not in mosques ", explained to Europa Press the director of the Islamic Commission of Spain (CIE), Yousef Mustafa.

Given the current health situation, the Muslims Spaniards will not be able to pray in community or break the fast in community, nor will they be able to visit family and friends and break their fast with them. Still, Yousef Mustafa highlights that it can be an opportunity to "strengthen family relationships by fasting at home" and live the month of fasting "in a spiritual way like any other year."

If throughout this month the health situation changes, it indicates that they will be able to assess the possibility of carrying out community prayers or the celebration of Id al Fitr, the celebration of the end of the fast, at the end of May, "of course always complying with the instructions of the Ministry of Health ".

In your prayers, this year you will take special account of the situation the world is going through and ask Allah to help everyone "in this pandemic situation", praying "for the victims, for the speedy recovery of the sick and for relief the pain of the relatives ". Precisely, the one who until a few weeks ago was the president of the Islamic Commission of Spain, Riay Tatary, died on April 6, victim of the coronavirus COVID-19.

On the other hand, regarding essential work employees, such as those who work in the field, the CIE asks employers to allow "flexible" hours of their workers Muslims so that they can finish their workday before the hour of breaking the fast arrives, as stated in the Cooperation Agreement with the Spanish State of 1992.

Although Ramadan does not coincide with summer this year, the CIE director recalls that they will fast the last days of April and most of May, "and the days will be long and hot in most of Spain "which" is going to be a great effort for Muslims, especially for those who have a hard physical job and cannot drink water during their working day. "

In a statement sent to Muslims under the title 'How to fast Ramadan in times of the Crown? ', the Islamic Commission of Spain points out that confinement may be an "opportunity for the family to gather around the Koran to memorize or review what they can about their souls or reflect on them".

In addition, this month Muslims must help those most in need and since the mosques will be closed, it is suggested to those interested to donate food first hand to those who need it, or to contact a restaurant with home service to serving food to people in need or also delivering food to associations that provide food assistance to fasters. For example, the Islamic Community of Arganda prepared a food delivery at home on Tuesday.

The CIE also asks not to forget the victims of the coronavirus or their families, striving to "comfort them morally and materially, relieve their pain and help them not feel alone in these difficult circumstances." It also recommends maintaining fluid communication with the magnet who, as they need, must devise ways to communicate with parishioners, for example, through social networks.

"There is no doubt that the Muslims of Spain, by respecting the rules of social confinement, will preserve their lives, protect and safeguard society," stresses the CIE.

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