Celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan despite the pandemic.
COVID-19 have caused many changes to festival celebrations. However, the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore has planned ways to celebrate Ramadan safely that are in line with the safety regulations and guidelines.
Commencing on April 12th to May 12th, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, a month filled with the gracious act of giving. Apart from that, our dear Muslim friends will also practice the act of fasting and abstaining, usually from drinking and eating.
This year, MUIS has announced that prayers and other activities will also be resumed. Thus, our dear friends have the privilege to visit local mosques to perform prayers and engage in religious activities.
Terawih Prayers
Terawih prayers or solat Terawih is one of the prayers the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore engage in during this Holy month. Held after the daily night prayer (Isyak), many Muslims would gather in a mosque and pray together (solat Jemaah).
It is a little different this year and spaces are limited due to safe distancing measures that have been implemented. Those who wish to visit the mosque would have to book online and it will be limited to an hour per visit.
The number of spaces available in mosques will vary. Selected mosques will also provide a space for female Jemaah (group of people praying) There will be three booking windows introduced for the first, second and last 10 days of Ramadan. Each window will offer a total of 84,000 prayer spaces across all mosques in Singapore and visitors are only allowed to have one booking per window.
Qiyamullail (night Prayers)
Qiyamullail, also known as night prayers, is a voluntary prayer between Fajr (before dawn) and Isyak (night) prayers. Similar to Terawih prayers, visitors will have to book their prayer space online.
Two windows with a total of 25,000 prayer spaces will be available across all mosques for Qiyamullail prayers for the last 10 days of Ramadan. Thus, it is encouraged to observe Ramadan practices at home with families.
Other Activities
Furthermore, there are other activities to engage in during this Holy month.
Porridge Distribution
Every year during Ramadan, several mosques will distribute porridge (bubur masjid). This year, porridge will be distributed after the afternoon prayers (Asar). Collection of the porridge will be ‘pick and go’.
Tadarrus (Quran Reading)
Daily Quran reading will take place as well. A maximum of 50 jemaah (group of people praying) will be allowed for the session and it will be limited to one hour.
Zakat
Ramadan is the month of giving. Thus, it is important to give back to the less privileged. Zakat is a way the Malay-Muslim community gives back. However, online zakat payment is still encouraged during these times.
Despite these difficult times, Ramadan is still celebrated by our friends from the Malay-Muslim community. However, remember to always adhere to rules implemented due to the pandemic. Take this opportunity to spend this year’s Ramadan with your family.