Abuhuraira Udasan, the grand mufti of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BPI-BARMM file photo)
COTABATO CITY – A ranking Muslim religious leader reminded the Islam faithful on Tuesday that the suspension of mass gatherings or congregational prayers in observance of the fasting month of Ramadan remains despite the shifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ) mode.
Abuhuraira Udasan, grand mufti (highest religious leader) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said that the decision of the Darul Ifta (Islamic House of Opinion) is primarily for the safety of everybody.
“What is important is we are taking preventive steps to ensure every Muslim observing Ramadan is safe,” Udasan said in a statement.
He issued the clarification after reports that some Muslim faithful started congregational prayers every 6 p.m. in small mosques across the region before breaking the fast.
“The suspension remains,” Udasan stressed. “If we hold Taraweeh (special evening prayers) inside the mosque, social distancing is unavoidable.”
Fasting is sacrifice, Udasan said, and by not holding congregational prayer is a form of sacrifice.
“Much to our desire, the safety of everybody is our primordial concern,” he added.
Udasan instead appealed to all Muslims observing fasting to practice charity and extend aid, when capable, to help the needy and those who have nothing to eat due to coronavirus pandemic.
Abdullah Kasan, a Muslim faithful, described the absence of congregational prayers as something unusual but maintained strict protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are for everyone’s safety.
“I think we can hurdle this, this is a test to our faith to Allah,” he said in the vernacular.
Fasting commenced on April 23 and expected to end on May 22. During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Adults will have a meal just before dawn, and another after sunset. When the sun has gone down, family and friends will get together for “Iftar” to break their fast.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and highlighted by charitable works and abstinence from worldly enjoyment. (PNA)
