By Press Association 2021
Indonesian Muslims pray spaced apart as they practise social distancing during an evening prayer called “tarawih” marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia
Muslims have begun marking Ramadan with communal prayers in a socially distanced contrast to the empty mosques of a year ago when Islam’s holiest month coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 cases are spiking in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, but vaccines are being administered and the government is loosening restrictions.
Mosques were allowed to open for Ramadan prayers with strict health protocols in place, and with shopping centres and cafes open, passers-by could again see curtains shielding the sight of food from people fasting.
MECCA, Saudi Arabia Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, but a spike in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again…
April 13, 2021 Share
Muslims began marking Ramadan with communal prayers Tuesday in a socially distanced contrast to the empty mosques of a year ago when Islam’s holiest month coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 cases are spiking in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, but vaccines are being administered and the government is loosening restrictions. Mosques were allowed to open for Ramadan prayers with strict health protocols in place, and with malls and cafes open, passers-by could again see curtains shielding the sight of food from people fasting.
Neighboring Muslim-majority Malaysia also eased its restrictions, including last year’s ban on “taraweeh” nighttime prayers and allowing popular open-air bazaars selling food, drinks and clothes to open.