Ramadan in the time of Covid-19

CELEBRITIES SPEAK ABOUT THEIR HOPES, PRAYERS AND HEARTFELT WISHES FOR A HEALTHIER WORLD IN THE HOLY MONTH

by ASJAD NAZIR

RAMADAN is a blessed month for Muslims, and this year it has added significance because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated the world and taken the lives of so many.

There will be spiritual reflection, self-improvement and heightened devotion, but also plenty of prayers for all those who are affected by the deadly Covid-19 disease.

Eastern Eye caught up with celebrities during the lockdown to find out what their hopes and prayers are this Ramadan.

Ali Zafar: In this holy month of Ramadan, I wish and pray that we can connect with the real essence and sport of this month. Cleanse our souls with our words and actions to help each other get through these difficult times, especially the ones who need our help most desperately – the poor and marginalised. After all, serving humanity is truly serving God. Let’s all be good and do good to receive good.

Hareem Farooq: Ramadan is a very special month for me. I feel there’s a very calming sense all around, and even though we might not be able to celebrate like before, I’m sure the holy month is still going to be blessed beyond our imagination. We just need to keep our eyes open to recognise those blessings and be grateful for them to Allah (SWT), and it is only then he will give more, Inshaallah!

Mariyam Nafees: This year, in this blessed month of Ramadan, I hope everyone is staying safe, indoors and helping people during these crucial times. I am praying for the end of this pandemic and a better, happy world.

Ahsan Khan: Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, generosity, compassion, love and empathy, and as the Quran states: “Respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, colour, race, sex, language, status, property and profession.” This Ramadan, I hope we, as the human race, can come together and help, support and pray for each other during these challenging times. I pray we remember, even the darkest night will end with the sunrise.

Sabeena Syed: This Ramadan my hopes and prayers are that our morals stay high. I understand this Ramadan is very different, so we just have to stay strong morally and mentally. We still have to maintain social distancing and we all are in this together. All of this will be over soon. Inshaallah!

Haroon: My hopes and prayers this Ramadan are for all the people of the world, no matter what their race, religion or nationality, to put aside their often petty differences and stand united as one humankind in peace, so that we can help the less fortunate among us and battle through this hardship together.

Zoya Nasir: I hope that in this holy month of Ramadan, the whole pandemic is over and I pray that we come out of it stronger, better and unaffected.

Naughty Boy: Sending prayers for all the brave health workers fighting on the front line and all those who have been affected by the terrible Covid 19 pandemic – they are in my thoughts, including those who have tragically lost their lives and those who have lost loved ones. I’m praying for a better tomorrow and my hopes are that we all learn to live together with more peace, love and harmony when these testing times we are living through end. May the almighty guide and answer your prayers this blessed month. I hope you are all staying safe.

Junaid Khan: Ramadan itself talks about patience and we all need patience in this tough time. I hope the whole world will get out of this difficult situation and times soon.

Armeena Rana Khan: This year is the corona Ramadan, where the poor face a choice between death by poverty or death by infection. The worst thing that could happen is that after coronavirus, we go back to the old world of doing business, of measuring happiness and chasing materialism. We must not. I pray for a cure, not just medical, but a social cure for the niqab of apathy that has made us ignorant to each other’s pain.

Ghana Ali Raza: I hope we stay strong in this turmoil we’re facing, and I pray this pandemic will be over soon and we get back our normal routines and may Allah (SWT) forgive us for our deeds.

Abdullah Qureshi: This Ramadan I am praying for the wellness of mankind. I hope God forgives us all soon and things get better.

Gauahar Khan: Ramadan is extremely special – a time to pray not just for yourself but for the whole world. It’s the month that Allah awaits prayers from his creation so he can grant them. I’m praying sincerely this year because there aren’t any other distractions. I’m staying in, spending my days in humility and touching base with what’s truly important. I’m being grateful for all the big and small mercies and comforts. I wish no one goes hungry and better sense prevails with the people in power. Kinza Razzak: Ramadan mubarak to all the Muslims out there. May Allah bestow his blessings on all of us. May we strive to become better human beings by being true to our nafs (self) and by trying to lift each other.

Ali Abbas: My hopes and prayers for this Ramadan are that we conquer the coronavirus. The whole world is dealing with it right now. I hope all of us carry on following the safety protocols and take the precautionary measures that are required, and we come out of this as conquerors.

Ramsha Khan: Everyday I just pray for health, physical and mental. It’s really a tough time where we are learning a new way of life, and I just hope we all get through it.

Azfer Rehman: Ramadan is a month filled with blessings and a gift from God to Muslims globally. I hope that we all collectively pray and ask forgiveness for our sins. I hope we all pray that this Covid-19 problem the entire world is trapped in ends and we can get out of it. That all the blessings of Ramadan may come into all of our lives. That all your problems and mishaps get fixed. These are my hopes, prayers and expectations from Ramadan.

Yashma Gill: I try to keep myself positive and always look for an opportunity in misery rather than misery in opportunity and I think the silver lining to this situation is the opportunity to self reflect, spend time with family and be able to have more time for strengthening ourselves spiritually this Ramadan (of course, by staying at home)

Rabab Hashim: I am praying that this month brings us the strength and resilience to weather this storm and come out stronger. I sincerely hope that we see better times soon.

Wahaj Ali: Just praying that we are able to survive this tough time, and my family (mom, wife and daughter) and I are able to get out of this healthy.

Rabya Kulsoom: I hope and pray to the almighty that we get through these difficult times and come out of it as better human beings, and may he ease it for all those suffering from this pandemic.

Anoushay Abbasi: May Allah help us get through this pandemic and hoping this month of Ramadan brings us happiness and the good news we have all been waiting for. Stay safe.