ECTalks

First of all Ramadan Mubarak to all of you who are fasting today as well as to all those who will fast from tomorrow. May Allah SWT bless you all and your families and save the World from this Corona pandemic. 

WHAT IS RAMADAN?

During Ramadan, Muslims practice sawm, or fasting. Of course, no one is required to fast for an entire month. The practice of fasting during Ramadan means that Muslims may not eat or drink anything including water while the sun is shining. Fasting is one of the five pillars or duties of Islam. As with most other religious practices in Islam, Muslims participate in the fast from the age of 12.

One of the most important aspects of the Ramadan fast is called niyyah. Niyyah literally means "intention." Muslims must not simply or accidentally abstain from food; they must achieve the requirement of niyyah. To achieve this requirement, a Muslim must "intend in heart that [the fast] is meant to be a worship for Allah alone." So, if someone fasts for political or dietary reasons, he would not achieve niyyah. In fact, according to scripture, 

"Whoever does not make niyyah before dawn, would not have fasted." 

The determination to fast is equal in importance to the fast itself.

Fasting gives Muslims an opportunity to practice self-control and cleanse the body and mind. Ramadan is the month in which Allah contacted the prophet, Mohammed, to give him the verses of the holy book, or Qu'ran. As such, praying during Ramadan is especially important. Muslims say nightly prayers whether it is Ramadan or not, but the taraweeh, or Ramadan nightly prayer, carries additional weight.

According to scripture,

"Whoever observes night prayer in Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his previous sins will be blotted out." 

Thus, the Ramadan nightly prayer, after a day of fasting, serves the purpose of eradicating the sins that have been previously committed. In this way, the nightly prayer is an important element of the rituals of Ramadan.

RAMADAN KAREEM DURING COVID-19

The holy month of Ramadan is marked by social and religious gatherings where Muslim families and friends unite to break their fast together, after sunset during iftar or before dawn during suhour. Many Muslims increase their attendance at mosques during the month and congregate for longer prayers for taraweeh a and qiyam. Some Muslims also spend consecutive days and nights at mosques during the last 10 days of Ramadan (i’tikaf) for prayers. These traditional and religious practices are regularly observed throughout the month. 

The transmission of COVID-19 is facilitated by close contact between people, as the virus is spread through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. To mitigate the public health impact, several countries have implemented physical distancing measures aimed at interrupting transmission by reducing interaction between people. These measures are fundamental control mechanisms to control the spread of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections, associated with large gatherings of people. 

Physical distancing measures, including the closing of mosques, monitoring of public gatherings and other restrictions on movement, will have direct implications for the social and religious gatherings central to Ramadan. Countries around the world are taking different measures to control the spread of COVID-19. 

SAFE RAMADAN PRACTICES DURING COVID-19

OVERARCHING CONSIDERATIONS

Advice on physical distancing 

• Practice physical distancing by strictly maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) between people at all times. 

• Use culturally and religiously sanctioned greetings that avoid physical contact, such as waving, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart. 

• Stop large numbers of people gathering in places associated with Ramadan activities, such as entertainment venues, markets, and shops. 

Advice to high-risk groups 

• Urge people who are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid attending events and follow the national guidance on follow-up and management of symptomatic cases. 

• Urge older people and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer) not to attend gatherings, as they are considered vulnerable to severe disease and death from COVID-19.

MITIGATION MEASURES FOR PHYSICAL GATHERINGS

The following measures should be applied to any gathering occurring during Ramadan, such as prayers, pilgrimages, and communal meals or banquets. 

Venue 

• Consider holding the event outdoors if possible; otherwise, ensure that the indoor venue has adequate ventilation and air flow 

• Shorten the length of the event as much as possible to limit potential exposure 

• Give preference to holding smaller services with fewer attendees more often, rather than hosting large gatherings 

• Adhere to physical distancing among attendees, both when seated and standing, through creating and assigning fixed places, including when praying, performing wudu (ritual ablutions) in communal washing facilities, as well as in areas dedicated to shoe storage. 

• Regulate the number and flow of people entering, attending, and departing from worship spaces, pilgrimage sites, or other venues to ensure safe distancing at all times 

• Consider measures to facilitate contact tracing in the event that an ill person is identified among the attendees of the event. 

Encourage healthy hygiene 

Muslims perform wudu before prayers, which helps maintain healthy hygiene. The following additional measures should be considered: 

• Ensure that hand washing facilities are adequately equipped with soap and water and provide alcohol based hand-rub (at least 70% alcohol) at the entrance to and inside mosques. 

• Ensure the availability of disposable tissues and bins with disposable liners and lids, and guarantee the safe disposal of waste. 

• Encourage the use of personal prayer rugs to place over carpets. 

• Provide visual displays of advice on physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and general messages on COVID-19 prevention. 

Frequently clean worship spaces, sites, and buildings 

• Enforce routine cleaning of venues where people gather before and after each event, using detergents and disinfectants. 

• In mosques, keep the premises and wudu facilities clean, and maintain general hygiene and sanitation. 

• Frequently clean often-touched objects such as doorknobs, light switches, and stair railings with detergents and disinfectant.

CHARITY

When the faithful give special attention to those who may be adversely affected while distributing their sadaqat or zakah during this Ramadan, consider the physical distancing measures in place. To avoid the crowded gathering associated with iftar banquets, consider using individual pre-packaged boxes/servings of food. These can be organized by centralized entities and institutions, which should adhere to physical distancing throughout the whole cycle (collecting, packaging, storing and distribution). 

WELL-BEING 

Fasting 

No studies of fasting and risk of COVID-19 infection have been performed. Healthy people should be able to fast during this Ramadan as in previous years, while COVID-19 patients may consider religious licenses regarding breaking the fast in consultation with their doctors, as they would do with any other disease. 

Physical activity 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are restricted in their movements; but, if restrictions allow, always practice physical distancing and proper hand hygiene even during any exercise activity. In lieu of outdoor activities, indoor physical movement and online physical activity classes are encouraged. 

Healthy diet and nutrition 

Proper nutrition and hydration are vital during the month of Ramadan. People should eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods every day and drink plenty of water. 

Tobacco use 

Tobacco use is ill-advised under any circumstances, especially during Ramadan and the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent smokers may already have lung disease, or reduced lung capacity, which greatly increases the risk of serious COVID-19 illness. When smoking cigarettes, the fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) touch the lips, which increases the likelihood of the virus entering the respiratory system. When water pipes are used, it is likely that mouth pieces and hoses are shared, which also facilitates transmission of the virus. 

Promoting mental and psychosocial health 

Despite the different execution in practices this year, it is important to reassure the faithful that they can still reflect, improve, pray, share, and care – all from a healthy distance. Ensuring that family, friends, and elders are still engaged in light of physical distancing needs to be considered; encouraging alternate and digital platforms for interaction is paramount. Offering special prayers for the sick, alongside messages of hope and comfort, are methods to observe the tenants of Ramadan while maintaining public health. 

Responding to situations of domestic violence 

In settings where movement restrictions are in place, incidents of domestic violence, particularly against women, children, and marginalized people, are likely to increase. Religious leaders can actively speak out against violence and provide support or encourage victims to seek help.

This virus knows no barriers. It does not discriminate. Please protect yourself and your loved ones by following the guidelines established by authorities for your protection. This Ramadan, stay indoors and stay safe. ~ Tariq A. Al Maeena, Saudi commentator

Source: WHO 

Air pollution, release into the atmosphere of various gases, finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid aerosols at rates that exceed the natural capacity of the environment to dissipate and dilute or absorb them. These substances may reach concentrations in the air that cause undesirable health, economic, or aesthetic effects. 

Types of Pollutants

1. Ozone: A gas that can be found in two places. Near the ground (the troposphere), it is a major part of smog. The harmful ozone in the lower atmosphere should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere), which screens out harmful ultraviolet rays.
2. Carbon monoxide: A gas that comes from the burning of fossil fuels, mostly in cars. It cannot be seen or smelled.
3. Nitrogen dioxide: A reddish brown gas that comes from the burning of fossil fuels. It has a strong smell at high levels
4. Particulate matter: Solid or liquid matter that is suspended in the air. To remain in the air, particles usually must be less than 0.1-mm wide and can be as small as 0.00005 mm.
5. Sulfur dioxide: A corrosive gas that cannot be seen or smelled at low levels but can have a ―rotten egg smell at high levels.
6. Lead: A blue-gray metal that is very toxic and is found in a number of forms and locations.
7. Toxic air pollutants: A large number of chemicals that are known or suspected to cause cancer. Some important pollutants in this category include arsenic, asbestos, benzene, and dioxin.
8. Stratospheric ozone depleters: Chemicals that can destroy the ozone in the stratosphere. These chemicals include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other compounds that include chlorine or bromine.
9. Greenhouse gases: Gases that stay in the air for a long time and warm up the planet by trapping sunlight. This is called the ―greenhouse effect because the gases act like the glass in a greenhouse. Some of the important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. 

Source: Jonathan Levy, Harvard School of Public Health. Based on information provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Causes of Air pollution

 1. The burning of fossil fuels 

2. Agricultural activities 

3. Exhaust from factories and industries 

4. Mining operations 

5. Indoor air pollution 

 Effects of Air pollution

1. Respiratory and heart problems 

2. Global warming 

3. Acid rain

4. Eutrophication 

5. Effect on wildlife 

6. Depletion of the ozone layer 

 Solutions For Air Pollution 

1. Use public mode of transportation 

2. Conserve energy 

3. Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle 

4. Emphasis on clean energy resources

5. Use energy efficient devices 

 Air pollution: a global problem

Researchers and engineers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), in collaboration with other agencies, are dedicated to developing new technologies that directly help decision-makers plan for high-pollution days. Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. WHO (World Health Organization) is working with countries to monitor air pollution and improve air quality. From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures, both indoors and outdoors.