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Ramadan in pandemic times: How Muslims in the Weilheim-Schongau district experience the month of fasting

2021-05-08T20:47:49.858Z


How do Muslims in the district experience Ramadan during the corona pandemic? The local newspaper asked believers in Schongau and Penzberg.


How do Muslims in the district experience Ramadan during the corona pandemic?

The local newspaper asked believers in Schongau and Penzberg.

Schongau

- When you enter the mosque on Drosselstrasse in Schongau, you are politely and firmly pointed out to the device with the disinfectant. The notice “Access only with FFP2 mask” is already attached to the outside of the door. "We take great care to adhere to the hygiene regulations", assures Temel Simsek, chairman of the Islamic community Milli Görüs Schongau. There is a high shoe rack in the anteroom of the prayer room. Everyone who enters the room must take off their shoes. Inside, your feet sink into a thick, warm carpet. Imam Muhammed Saglam kneels in the corner, who is deep in prayer with some believers as a prayer leader.

This room is reserved for men only.

The women of the church go up one floor to pray.

The children are usually also taught on the upper floor.

Due to Corona, this instruction has to be canceled at the moment, Simsek explains regretfully.

Ramadan in the Weilheim-Schongau district: Community and solidarity with the weak and poor

Then he explains the fundamental importance of the month of fasting.

"For many Muslims, Ramadan is a very conscious time-out for body and mind, in which they find peace and quiet to deal intensively with their faith." Fasting in Ramadan is one of the so-called five pillars of Islam.

It symbolizes the believer's bond with his Creator.

During Lent, body and soul should be cleansed.

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Groceries for a package that is given out to the needy in Schongau during Ramadan.

© Sabine Näher

Community and solidarity with the weak and poor is particularly important this month.

Simsek pulls out his cell phone and opens a photo.

“We distribute such parcels with food to the needy.” These do not have to belong to their community, adds Selahattin Olcay, his deputy.

The deficiency felt in their own body should move Muslims to develop understanding for poor and starving people and to help them.

Fasting begins every day before the so-called Fajir prayer at around five in the morning.

It ends around 8 p.m. with evening prayer and iftar.

At this festive dinner, the whole family gathers to break the fast after sunset.

Traditionally, dates are served with water or milk as the first dish to break the fast.

The pandemic is changing the fasting month of Ramadan

"Before the pandemic, we had set up a tent in front of the mosque so that we could break the fast together in a large group," says Olcay. “We have also invited our non-Muslim neighbors to this.” But the solidarity just mentioned also includes strict compliance with the pandemic-related rules this year. “That is why we consciously refrain from breaking the fast with family and friends, as is traditionally the case. The core duties such as fasting are not affected by the pandemic, ”explains Simsek.

The Schongau Muslims generally live on good terms with neighbors of other faiths. “There is always a complaint when we have a party and it gets too loud,” says Olcay. But their actions, such as the joint celebration of breaking the fast, are well received in the neighborhood. “We have had very good experiences with it and have received positive feedback. After the pandemic, we will continue this action, ”explains Simsek.

But first of all, this year has to be mastered.

At the end of Ramadan, the faithful can look forward to a special festival: “An important religious duty is the festive prayer on the morning of the first day of the festival.

In addition, the believers dress in festive clothes and meet in the mosque to pray together.

Most Muslims traditionally spend the festive season with relatives, friends and extensive meals, ”says Simsek.

It remains to be seen what of this will be possible this year due to the currently applicable Corona restrictions.

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Ramadan in pandemic times: An interview with Gönül Yerli from the Islamic Forum Penzberg

Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, lasts until May 12th.

In an interview, Gönül Yerli, Vice Director of the Islamic Forum Penzberg, also talks about the fact that tradition has to be broken this year.


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Gönül Yerli from Penzberg.

© Feryat Yilmaz

How important is Ramadan in the course of your year, Ms. Yerli?

It is the most important month in the Muslim annual cycle because this is the month in which the revelation of the Koran began.

This is also the most important reason people fast.

What is the typical daily routine of a family in Ramadan?

Breakfast is offered from 4 a.m. onwards because it has to end at sunrise. This means that from around five o'clock you are not allowed to eat or drink. Children as long as they are growing are exempted. Of course, everyday life still has to go on. This is not always easy, especially in the diaspora, where the environment is not set up for fasting. Five prayers must be offered at certain times throughout the day. Ideally, you go to the mosque at least once for this, because the community plays a particularly important role in Ramadan. In addition, one should read 20 pages in the Koran every day. A total of 600 pages can be wonderfully spread over the Lent. And then of course you look forward to dusk, when the fast can be broken.Many cook with the family. But, to emphasize this once, there is no such thing as gluttony. That would also not work because the stomach adjusts to the reduced food intake. That means there is more light fare.

Are the foods prescribed for breaking the fast?

No, everyone can handle this individually.

However, there is a tradition of eating a date first because, according to tradition, this is what the prophet did.

Dates should therefore not be missing on any table ...

What problems does the corona pandemic bring with it for these usual processes?

The community is missing.

Traditionally, families invite each other to eat together.

We are talking about the collective breaking of the fast.

Feeding the poor and needy is also part of it.

And of course none of that can happen at the moment.

What percentage of the faithful in this country keep the rules of Ramadan?

In Penzberg that is three quarters of the Muslims, i.e. the vast majority.

Are you more likely to find understanding or incomprehension among fellow citizens of other faiths?

That has changed a lot in the last few years.

Many good wishes reach us;

the people express their condolences to us, cheer with us and show solidarity.

The question of how do you manage not to drink is often asked.

But it works.

We Muslims are the proof ...

How will you celebrate the festive end of Ramadan this year?

We have absolutely no idea.

Last year we held a “to go” party.

Our members came to the mosque by car and received small festive gifts.

We are currently watching the incidence levels eagerly to consider what could happen.

So far, however, it has only been certain that we will offer the festival service digitally.

CLOSER FROM SABINE

By the way:

Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular Weilheim-Penzberg newsletter.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-05-08

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