The month of Ramadan enjoys a great place in the hearts of Muslims, and its celebration is evident in the Arab countries, and the matter differs in many non-Islamic countries, where the expatriate searches for it outside his home country, and strives to preserve his religious and cultural identity, and practice rituals associated with the holy month to distinguish it from the rest of the months The year.

With the spread of the Corona epidemic, and the imposition of protection and safety measures, whether by curfews or closures;

Muslims in the West tried to cope with the situation as an ongoing reality, which cast a shadow over their Ramadan customs and rituals to a large extent.

Social activities in a mosque in the city of Marion, Australia (the island)

Shaima Omar - who lives in South Australia - began her conversation with Al Jazeera Net, saying, "Before the month of Ramadan, a scouting (camping) activity was organized for 3 days in the woods; food, drink, lectures, scientific and practical lessons, and quiet good company for the whole family, so that the children enjoyed the scouting activities that It included preparing for Ramadan. "

Scouting activities for children in Australia (the island)

"There are various activities and activities supervised by the Arab Muslim community or the Egyptian community, and other individual events during the holy month, depending on the activity, such as the scouts that we participate in and the various mosque activities. For example, in the first week, there was a breakfast in the Hebron Mosque, and another one," she added. At the University of Adelaide, we break our fast together and then pray Taraweeh, which are followed by acquaintances and stories between people to bring them closer together. "

Scouting activity in Australia before Ramadan (Al-Jazeera)

Shaima expressed her happiness in broadcasting a specialized channel for Muslims in Australia during Ramadan, the call to prayer and some religious lessons, and this is a trend from the state that helps in the occurrence of the ideological movement in an orderly and safe manner.

Muslim gatherings during Ramadan in Australia (Al Jazeera)

Gift bags and candy in Canada

"Ramadan has changed this year due to the imposition of the ban and closure," said Amani Ali from Canada. "There is no room for gatherings to have breakfast on the weekend, as we used to before as expatriates in a non-Muslim country."

Amani added to Al-Jazeera Net, "So we thought of a safe way to celebrate the holy month and try to give children joy, so we prepared small gift bags with sweets, biscuits, dates and balloons inside, and we went out to distribute them to the homes of acquaintances and friends, carrying large plates that were written on it (Ramadan Mubarak)."

Her daughter Khadija Montaser told us about Ramadan's experience in her school. “The school made sure to allocate a room for the fasting children to sit in and not to watch others eating, and during the games session it is possible to exclude those who cannot participate from fatigue, or participate as much as possible.”

The vaccines made it easier

Tamiran Adel narrates her experience in America, saying, "Each state differs in the number of Muslims, mosques and Islamic centers in it. I used to live in the city of Sacramento, California, where the number of Muslims is large, but recently we moved to North Carolina, where the number of Muslims is less, as well as mosques."

The Islamic Center in Houston, Texas (Al Jazeera)

And she continued, "Despite the spread of the Corona virus, we have been keen to organize activities for children as mothers in WhatsApp groups and simple lessons for them through Zoom to attend during Ramadan."

Allocation of a collective breakfast square in Houston (the island)

According to Tamiran, "The mosque we go to allocates a group breakfast on weekends, as it is a greater opportunity for acquaintance, as everyone shares a dining table without knowing the other." And she added, "I myself got to know new friends through these gatherings." .

"There is a large Islamic center near us, and because a large number of citizens have received the Covid-19 vaccination, they have been allocated a prayer hall without committing to social spaces, while another hall is designated for those who did not receive the vaccine, and it takes place in it," says Dina Abdel Rahman from Texas, America. Observe the rules of social distancing and wear medical face masks. "

"The Islamic Center also periodically organizes a group breakfast for unmarried couples and families in need, and permits outside activities to organize gatherings in nature, in addition to continuing Ramadan activities via the Internet and religious lessons for different ages and groups," she added.

Book Tarawih prayers in advance

And from Britain, Lamia Sharaf says, “The Muslims’ treatment of Ramadan differed last year from this year due to the lack of restrictions and permission to worship in mosques and home visits for one family or group of 6 people, which helped to feel - even a small percentage - the joy of the holy month. Birmingham, in which I live with my family, there is the largest Muslim community, and it is easy for your neighbor to be a Muslim and share a Ramadan dish with you from his country. "

Lamia continues, "Every community has been keen to practice its Ramadan habits. My friends and I agree to pray Tarawih in the mosque after booking a place before that through the mosque administration website, and we exchange visits to share breakfast together, so that our children feel the warmth of the family lost in exile."

And she continued, "There are some Ramadan activities for children that are organized (online) to increase children's knowledge of fasting jurisprudence and some simple religious information. Some families arrange to meet in parks at breakfast time, taking into account the laws of social distancing as much as possible."