Coronavirus affected the whole world leaving no route to escape for the Land of Peace. Its adverse effect can’t be measured without getting national level stability in the first place.
The current global crises demand a great deal of hope, unity and determination from the whole nation.
Our today’s article will unfold in the following sequence.
- A Unique Bond between Ramadan for Pakistan.
- Pakistani Muslims, Ramadan And Covid-19
- NCOC `s Guidelines for Ramzan during the lockdown.
- Is the topic of hygiene new to Muslims?
- Coronavirus patient statistics in Pakistan.
- Government Initiatives to cope with the health pandemic
A UNIQUE BOND BETWEEN RAMADAN & PAKISTAN:
The month of Ramadan and Pakistan are tightly bounded. To explain this, we are going to pick these five reference points which are;
- 14 August 1947 (27th of Ramadan in 1366 of the Islamic Calendar) is when Pakistan gained its independence.
- What does Pakistan mean?… There is no God but Allah, was a couplet and political slogan that was coined back in 1944 by Urdu poet Asghar Sodai.
- The Constitution of Pakistan is based upon the ideology of Islam.
- More than 96% of Pakistanis are Muslims.
- There are Five pillars of Islam which include “Fasting”.
Furthermore, there are other important events in history that explain the bond between Pakistan and the holy month of Ramadan is undeniable.
PAKSITANI MUSLIMS, RAMADAN and COVID-19
Ramadan is the holiest month among all Muslims. The whole nation waits for this month of blessings throughout the year. Despite the current health pandemic, the zeal, spirit and the tendency of the whole nation towards religious obligations is an example of its own kind.
After the coronavirus outbreak, 2021 is the second year in a row where Pakistanis are fasting under lockdown. They now are following new SOPs particularly in how they used to perform group prayers.
“Our Life and death is in the hands of our Creator, The Allah Almighty” is a common deep-rooted belief with which every single Muslim Pakistani live. This belief makes them fearless against whatever the circumstances they are facing as an individual or as a whole nation.
In the Islamic system, visiting one who is sick is considered a good deed but after the Covid-19 outbreak, such visits are impossible. Now, the alternative and recommended way to know about someone’s health is possible via audio and video internet calls. People of areas with no internet coverage will only rely on audio phone calls
Praying in Mosques, Aitikaf, and other forms of religious rituals have to follow the new SOPs.
Students are having online education and job professionals are either following COVID-19 guidelines at work or have been given the facility to working from home.
Almost every major to minor Pakistani industry is facing a challenging time.
NCOC `S GUIDELINES FOR RAMZAN DURING COVID-19:
Regarding the auspicious month of Ramadan, National Command and operation centre (NCOC) has announced proper guidelines which will ensure the continuation of religious obligations with the covid-19 SOPs being followed.
During the health crises, the Arrangements for Salah (Namaz) and Taraweeh in Mosques and Imambargahs will be performed under the following SOPs:
- In Mosques or Imambargahs, prayers will be offered on the bare floors without carpets or rugs.
- People can bring their own prayer mats.
- Before and after group prayers people will avoid gatherings
- In mosques and Imambargahs, wherever possible it is advised to pray in the open courtyard.
- Those above 50 years of age including children and people suffering from cough, flu, etc should avoid mosques or imambargahs.
- Tamaz e Taraweeh will be arranged within the boundaries of the mosques or imambargahs.
- People are advised to do ablution prior to visiting mosque or imambargahs.
- Wearing a mask is a must in the premises of Mosques and imambargahs
- It is advised to perform Aitikaf at home.
You can read complete guidelines from here.
IS THE TOPIC OF HYGIENE NEW TO MUSLIMS?
Muslim communities are pioneer in hygienic rituals.
The topic of cleanliness might be new for the rest of the world but for Muslims, it is a part of their faith to follow state of the art hygienic habits. Islam explains the concept of Tarahat (Arabic ”Purity”). The concept is Tarahat is a process to attain purity.
Quran says:
“Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.” Al Baqara 2:222
The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“Cleanliness is half faith” – Sahih Muslims
Muslims pray five times a day after doing ablution (Wudu in Arabic). Wudu is the process to attain physical purity. It starts with washing your hands and ends on washing one’s feet.
In Wudu, each step is performed thrice to make sure the body is particularly neat and clean.
Hence, for Muslims, the topic of hygiene is not new as it’s a common daily ritual and a prerequisite to standing before Almighty Allah to perform any prayer.
CORONAVIRUS STATISTICS IN THE COUNTRY
Pakistan`s economy was just recovering when the first wave of covid-19 occurred. The first case was reported on February 26, 2020. So far there are 815,711 confirmed cases, 708,193 and 17,680 deaths.
The whole country has faced complete and partial lockdown scenarios for one and a half year.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO COPE WITH THE HEALTH PANDEMIC
The Government of Pakistan has announced COVID-19`s SOPs, guidelines and several public awareness campaigns to cope with this national health crises.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched Rs. 203 billion Ehsaas Emergency cash programs for economic hardship occurred by the Covid-19 crisis.
Free food setups have been launched across Pakistan in public-private partnerships to directly help people with low income.
Corona task force and corona relief funds are a few of many other initiates by the government of Pakistan.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the outbreak of coronavirus has severely affected the social and economic lives of Pakistanis forcing them to adopt a new normal in order to survive and thrive within the country.
Links & References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_ka_matlab_kya
- https://sunnah.com/muslim:223
- https://www.nih.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210402-Ramzan-guidelines-during-COVID-19_6102.pdf//quran.com/2/222
- https://covid.gov.pk/
