FROM YOUR HOMES, YOU LIGHT YOUR SKIES: Emirates Red Crescent says this year’s Ramadan programmes will be different and food parcels will be delivered to beneficiaries instead of being distributed in Ramadan tents, in adherence to social distancing rules.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are gearing up to greet the Holy Month under strict rules to contain Corona. The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of Council of Senior Scholars and General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, has stated that if it is impossible to perform Taraweeh and Eid prayers in the mosques because of the precautionary measures taken by the Saudi competent authorities to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, then people pray at their homes.
This came in his reply to a number of inquiries raised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance on the holy month of Ramadan in light of the continuing pandemic, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Ramadan is expected to begin on April 23 this year, according to a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences. The exact date will be confirmed by a moonsighting committee. The committee will begin searching for the new crescent moon after Maghrib prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the Islamic month preceding Ramadan. If it cannot be seen, or is known using calculations to not be in the sky, it is considered to be the 30th day of the month. About two billion Muslims across the world will shun food and drinks from Sunrise to sunset and follow a religious routine of prayers and Sakat (donations). This year, while many of the Islamic and cultural traditions that Ramadan brings will be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Charities across the Gulf countries are preparing to help the needy during Ramadan. They are planning to deliver iftar meals rather than serve them in Ramadan tents or at mosques.
The change in delivery approach was made necessary to avoid crowding in areas, which is banned as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Charity organisations in the UAE are distributing food parcels containing essential groceries – including rice, sugar, flour and canned goods – to people in need.
Red Crescent Initiatives
Emirates Red Crescent will support over a million people during the Holy Month.
“More than one million people, including members of vulnerable families and workers, will benefit from the ERC’s Ramadan programmes this year, such as foodstuff (Ramadan Ration), Zakat al-Fitr and Eid clothing,” said Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General. This is under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC.
During a remote press conference, the ERC launched its 2020 Ramadan campaign, under the slogan, “From your homes, you light your skies,” attended by the campaign’s sponsors.
During the press conference, the ERC stressed that this year’s Ramadan programmes will be different and food parcels will be delivered to beneficiaries instead of being distributed in Ramadan tents, in adherence to social distancing rules.
Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General, stated that the ERC’s programmes and activities inside the country are witnessing significant growth, due to the directives of the UAE’s leadership and the monitoring of Sheikh Hamdan.
He added that Sheikh Hamdan has attracted the participation of philanthropists and donors in the ERC’s national programmes while expressing the ERC’s appreciation for the campaign’s sponsors, which are the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, ADIB, and Etisalat.
Rashid Mubarak Al Mansouri, ERC Deputy Secretary-General for Local Affairs, said, “We are preparing to start the best month of the year by strengthening the spirit of human solidarity and offering the opportunity to participate in our programmes around the country, which will benefit hundreds of thousands.”
Indian Community
Mr Shukoor Kallungal, president of Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi, said they are expecting to distribute more than 700 food bags a day during Ramadan.
“With the current situation, it is not possible to make iftar meals, but we will be distributing groceries for the people [in need] to prepare food at home.”
The centre is already distributing between 600 to 700 meals a day to low-income workers.
The centre receives requests for food through their helpline. They began by distributing ready meals, but switched to groceries – with each bag containing basic foodstuff such as rice, chicken and eggs.
Emirates Red Crescent said it aims to help more than one million people through its charitable initiatives this Ramadan. Due to Corona, this year, the organisation will be delivering food parcels to people to avoid crowding and adhere to social-distancing rules.
Other ERC programmes include Zakat Al Fitr, a charity undertaken at the end of Ramadan, and handing out clothes to those in need ahead of Eid Al Fitr – when Muslims typically wear new clothes to celebrate the “festival of breaking the fast”.
Sponsors of the campaign include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Etisalat.
“We are preparing to start the best month of the year by strengthening the spirit of human solidarity and offering the opportunity to participate in our programmes around the country, which will benefit hundreds of thousands,” said Rashid Al Mansouri, ERC deputy secretary-general for Local Affairs.