What has Ramadan in lockdown been like for Greater Manchester’s Muslim community?

We are currently in Ramadan – the holy month during which the Qur’an is believed to have first been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

It is a hugely important time for Muslims across Greater Manchester, but with the country in lockdown their experience this year has been very different.

Those who follow Islam are obliged to devote themselves to its teachings with greater intensity during Ramadan and this includes fasting –  one of the five pillars of the faith.

Adults – with an exception for those who are elderly, ill or pregnant – must not eat or drink during daylight hours as part of their religious obligation.

However, they are allowed a meal before dawn known as the Suhoor and another following sunset called Iftar.

The Iftar – or ‘fast opening’ – is traditionally a communal affair, with people coming together at mosques and community centres, or opening up their homes to friends and family.

But with mosques closing and social distancing measures in force, none of this has been possible this year.

Neither have mosques  been able to hold congregational prayers or special additional prayers held nightly during Ramadan known as ‘Tarweeh’.

Like so many other aspects of life,  it has been changed profoundly by coronavirus, and Muslims in Greater Manchester are experiencing Ramadan in a way they never have done before.

That is certainly true of Tanzeer Rahaman, from Bolton, who says Ramadan this year ‘is like no other, different in so many ways.

“Ramadan is a time to spend with family, friends, ensuring that we are praying daily, more than our usual five prayers a day, it is a time to allow us to rekindle our faith which may have dwindled over the last 11 months,” said the 26-year-old HR professional.

“Generally, for me and my family, I would go over for iftar and sehri (suhoor) we would pray together, go to mosque together etcetera – this is the part I miss, but no different to other citizens who are unable to see their loved ones.”

The Muslim Council of Britain has encouraged Muslims to ‘share Ramadan digitally’ to save lives, and this is guidance Tanzeer has embraced.

“Technology is a wonderful thing and does allow us to share some moments together, albeit not in person,” he added.

But Tanzeer has not found the unprecedented situation to be without its upsides.

Working from home has allowed him to pray on time, everyday – something he admits he has ‘found difficult in the past’.

He and wife Sana have also been trying new recipes as part of a healthier diet – something Tanzeer says he ‘generally unintentionally avoided’  during Ramadan, as Asian Muslims tend to ‘feast on fried goods’.

“I do think this lockdown is allowing us to go back to the basics of fasting, remember the cause as opposed to the extravagance that some show during this time, this year,” he added.

“We have the time to think about others who are in difficult situations all across the world due to lack of food, one of the reasons we fast is to allow us to be more humble.”

Many families’ concerns for the NHS would not be unappreciated by Oldham’s Dr Zahid Chauhan.

The Featherstall GP says that while  fasting is a religious obligation it can be physically and mentally difficult – and none more so than for his fellow Muslims in the medical profession.

“Of course it is hard, especially if you are a shift worker, it’s a stressful time but most of our colleagues who are non-Muslim have been very tactful,” he said.

“They’re very mindful and don’t eat in front of you  – it’s the British values of respect and thinking about others.”

He added that he has also heard ‘lots of good stories’ about employers adjusting Muslim workers’ hours to make it easier for them to fast and also pray when they need to.

“It’s very, very positive from what I have heard, I think people appreciate it, if anything,” he said.

But he acknowledges this unprecedented Ramadan has been challenging for Muslims in the health sector, including himself.

“Of course it doesn’t feel great when in the past you could celebrate at fast-opening time and have family and friends around, now. Now you can be by yourself quite often I have been by myself as I work very late hours.

“I used to travel all around Greater Manchester area, now I’m sat in one little room.

"Also life has changed and probably has changed for good.

“People used to get together in the evening have a collection at community centres, mosques, including non-Muslims as well, people distributing food – all that has stopped to protect and preserve life.”

On a more personal note, Dr Chauhan added: “I have never been in this situation in my life and hope I never will be again, for many people it will be a lifetime thing, it’s never happened before.

“I am 44 and I have been brought up that this is something we do collectively, I have never had someone saying ‘no you can’t do it’, it’s different, it’s completely changed your life."

A married father of three children who are aged between eight and 13, it has also had an impact on his family life.

“The children all quite young, but even though they’re not fasting it was a celebration for them, a fast-opening is an opportunity for family and friends to get together and that social element has gone out of it.” added Dr Chauhan.

However, like many others, his family is following the Muslim Council of Britain’s advice to ‘share Ramadan digitally’ –  using Zoom, Facebook and other technologies to stay in touch.

This year, Ramadan began on April 23 and is due to end on Saturday, May 23.

It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the date changes each year as it is dictated by the lunar calendar – and the first sighting of the crescent moon – rather than the western solar calendar.

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