RIYADH/JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The holy month of Ramadan began on Friday with Islam’s holiest websites in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem largely empty of worshippers as the coronavirus crisis required authorities to impose unprecedented restrictions.
Palestinian mosque keepers hope in an almost empty mosque on the very first Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as prayers by worshippers in the holy places are suspended due to issues about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the northern Gaza Strip April 24,2020 REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
During Ramadan, Muslims the world over join their households to break the quick at sunset and go to mosques to hope. The pandemic has actually changed top priorities, with curbs on large gatherings for prayers and public iftars, or meals to break the quick.
In an uncommon incident in Islam’s 1,400- year history, Capital’s Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina – the faith’s two holiest places – will be closed to the public during the fasting duration.
Prayers from inside the mosque at Mecca on the very first night of Ramadan on Thursday were limited to clerics, security personnel and cleaners, in an event broadcast live on television.
In remarks marking the start of Ramadan, King Salman, who is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, lamented the need for social distancing during the holy month.
” It discomforts me to invite the marvelous month of Ramadan under scenarios that forbid us from prayers in mosques,” he stated, according to the official Saudi Press Company.
” It does not feel unique this year, we don’t feel any Ramadan vibes,” stated Sarah, a mother-of-two in Riyadh.
At a near-empty Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, an imam called out