04-26-2020, 02:26 PM
There are many Muslims where I live (UK). Lots of Muslims work in medicine and of the first 10 UK medics to die of C-19 a large number were Muslim. Actually, both my doctor and psychiatrist are Muslim (they've never mentioned it, but you see certain things in their office that give it away).
What I notice is that culturally there is more tendency to live in multi-generational homes e.g. kids in their teens or 20s, parents, and then grandparents. Given age makes people more vulnerable I can see thats more of an issue if everyone lives together. Keeping the virus out would be so much more important.
In previous years non-Muslims have been invited to share Iftar (the evening meal after the fasting) and learn more about Islam. That's generally been a positive thing where I live, but obviously that's impossible this year. I'm very much in favour of different people mixing and understanding other cultures so hope it'll be back for 2021.
It is worrying to hear about Pakistan keeping the mosques open. I fear that might cost many thousands of lives. In the UK a few small mosques tried to stay open but I think they got shut down very quickly. There is a problem with older Muslims who have perhaps moved to the UK to be with family, but don't speak English. Generally I think its unwise not to speak the language of the country you live in (it really restricts who you can interact with). With C-19 it means some Muslims missed the government messages. That said, it's kinda difficult not to notice the streets are empty and the shops are shut!
Anyway I hope any Muslims on this forum have the best Ramadan possible under these circumstances.
What I notice is that culturally there is more tendency to live in multi-generational homes e.g. kids in their teens or 20s, parents, and then grandparents. Given age makes people more vulnerable I can see thats more of an issue if everyone lives together. Keeping the virus out would be so much more important.
In previous years non-Muslims have been invited to share Iftar (the evening meal after the fasting) and learn more about Islam. That's generally been a positive thing where I live, but obviously that's impossible this year. I'm very much in favour of different people mixing and understanding other cultures so hope it'll be back for 2021.
It is worrying to hear about Pakistan keeping the mosques open. I fear that might cost many thousands of lives. In the UK a few small mosques tried to stay open but I think they got shut down very quickly. There is a problem with older Muslims who have perhaps moved to the UK to be with family, but don't speak English. Generally I think its unwise not to speak the language of the country you live in (it really restricts who you can interact with). With C-19 it means some Muslims missed the government messages. That said, it's kinda difficult not to notice the streets are empty and the shops are shut!
Anyway I hope any Muslims on this forum have the best Ramadan possible under these circumstances.