Asia Today: Muslims change traditions in virus-hit Ramadan

Asia Today: Muslims change traditions in virus-hit Ramadan

SeattlePI.com

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BANGKOK (AP) — Millions of Muslims in Asia began Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, on Friday under the gloom of life with the coronavirus, which has forced extensive changes to traditions.

Ramadan is a time for Muslims to get closer to God, family and society, but under the pandemic many have lost jobs, canceled plans to visit relatives, and are unable to break their daily fast with others. Muslims usually fast during the day and then congregate for night prayers and share communal meals.

In many places, mosques have been locked to deter the spread of the virus.

“This is too sad to be remembered in history,” said Belm Febriansyah, a resident of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, suspended passenger flights and rail services as it restricts people from traveling to their hometowns. Authorities also banned private cars from leaving Jakarta.

Muslim-majority Malaysia is extending its virus lockdown by two weeks, although its new cases have dropped significantly in recent days. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on the eve of Ramadan that the people’s “jihad” against the pandemic has shown positive results but needs to continue to ensure the virus is fully contained.

Malaysia, along with neighboring Singapore and Brunei, has banned popular Ramadan bazaars where food, drinks and clothes are sold in congested open-air markets or roadside stalls.

Pakistan’s southern Sindh province banned prayers during Ramadan after the Pakistan Medical Association pleaded unsuccessfully with Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country’s religious leaders to reverse their refusal to close mosques countrywide.

Khan has left it to local clerics to implement government-ordered social distancing. Some...

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