As the clock ticks towards the start of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide are gearing up for the holy month of fasting, coming for the second year during the global pandemic.

The Mankato Islamic Center in Minnesota said they would continue to host prayers with safety precautions.

These measures include social distancing in prayers and cancellation of iftar events.

“The pandemic has affected all faith groups, churches, mosques and synagogues,” said Abdi Sabrie, the center’s co-founder and a board member, KEYC reported.

“There is no exception here. You can see on the floor, usually we pray shoulder to shoulder and now we are praying apart. We are separated.”

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Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri Islamic calendar. It commemorates the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad.

From dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations).

Ramadan is expected to start from April 13 this year subject to moonsighting. 

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The measures taken also include preventing those who contracted the virus from attending congregational prayer.

“We try and do everything we can to really protect them,” Sabrie said.

“We do not want the center of faith to become a place where you acquire a pandemic or a disease.”

Ramadan is the month of multiple blessings. It is the time of fasting and of extensive spiritual exercise.

During Ramadan, Muslims make special effort to find time for recitation and study of the Holy Quran, for supererogatory prayers, such as Taraweeh, and other charitable deeds.

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