Muslims End Ramadan: How'd they fare in the midst of COVID-19?

Theirs is often characterised by wild jubilation after a month-long fasting. I've seen the Eid al Fitr on countless times over the years. Lot of foods.

Lot of drinks and lots of good stuff are gifted to friends, loved ones including non-Muslims.

The streets usually get jam-packed with people, cars, bicycles and motorbikes. Another common feature is tooting of horns, while drums throb as the crowd surges on. Bikers and drivers toot their horns non-stop as sounds of loudspeakers could be heard from afar.

The scene at beaches isn't much different from what one sees in the streets.

During such festive moods, some celebrants choose to sit on rooftops of moving vehicles. Others prefer perching on bonnets or hoods to the trunks, while some hang on the cars' windows like bats-- waving head scarfs, handkerchiefs and flags.

How about the bikers?

The bikers usually steal the day.

They flip their bikes back and forth.

Their wild u-turns and often not observing some major motor riding skills like-- following distances, reading traffic, speed manoeuvring including cornering makes one cringe.

How'd they fare in the midst of COVID-19?

Without a doubt, COVID-19 has markedly changed a lot of things It dictated how this year’s Eid was observed. It also changed the style of prayer or worship and ultimately changed the dynamics of the festivity which hitherto would pull thousands of people from all walks of life to gather and make merry. I can, therefore, say that Muslims in Ghana, have by far observed the social distancing protocols and abide by the President’s directive.

In fact, many Muslims believe it's a great opportunity for them as followers of prophet Muhammad to spiritually experience this Eid in spite of the challenges COVID-19 has brought in its wake.

Well wishes from presidents

As father of the nation President Akufo-Addo has sent out well wishes to Muslims across the country who are today Sunday 24, May 2020 celebrating Eid ul-Fitr under the coronavirus restriction.

"This year’s Eid al-Fitr has become a more somber celebration despite it being one of the most important festivals on the Muslim calendar," he wrote

Mr Akufo-Addo noted, the impact of the pandemic this year's festival acknowledged the sacrifices made by Muslims in this period by forfeiting their usual congregating at the mosque with respect for the ban on public gathering.

Nonetheless, the President is hopeful that things will get better by next year to allow for mass prayers that have been banned across the country in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

“I am very hopeful that, next year, Muslims in the country will congregate as they have done over the years, and celebrate Eid ul-Fitr fully and without any restriction. We will go back, in joy, to Black Star Square,” President Akufo-Addo wrote.

Also extending his well wishes to Muslims on the occasion is Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

In a statement, the former first couple said: “Today’s celebration is devoid of the usual congregation of Muslims at various communities to offer prayers and later to celebrate the successful conclusion of the month of fasting with get-togethers, because of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and its social distancing protocols.”

The Rawlings’ family commended the Muslim community for their commitment to the protocols instituted by the government to stem the spread of COVID-19 and urged that “as we offer our prayers to Allah today, we seek his grace to heal us of the afflictions of the virus.”

Mr and Mrs Rawlings congratulated the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu and the entire Muslim community on the successful conclusion of their sacrificial month of fasting.

Another important personality to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a Happy EID is former President John Mahama.

He prayed that Allah protects Ghanaians from COVID-19 as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr Sunday, May 24, 2020.

“We thank Allah for seeing us through Ramadan successfully. May Allah accept our fasting. We ask Allah to forgive us our sins and we pray to Allah to see us through to the next Ramadan,” Mr Mahama said this in a Facebook video.

He advised Muslims to adhere to health protocols to help stop the coronavirus from spreading.

Meanwhile, Vice-president Dr Bawumia a devout Muslim has on behalf of Muslims in Ghana and across the world thanked Allah for his protection and mercies.

"As we celebrate this year’s Eid, we want to thank Allah for seeing us through one of the most challenging Ramadan in recent times. We have to deal with restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic and for that reason, the usual prayers in our mosque’s." with our families and loved ones weren’t the same," he said.

History of Eid

Eid al-Fitr also called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr begins at sunset on the night of the first sighting of the crescent moon. If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month (either because clouds block its view or because the western sky is still too bright when the moon sets), then the holiday is celebrated the following day. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country.

By Gordon Offin-Amaniampong