The holy month of Ramadaan is upon us and it’s now time for us as Muslims to sacrifice our food and drink and offer up more of our time and energy in the righteous path, so that we can reap rewards from the Almighty which will benefit us in life, in death and the hereafter.
We are still finding ourselves in the Coronavirus pandemic, but this year we are on alert Level 1, which has far less restrictions than last year, when the first Level 5 lockdown was implemented.
I feel like we have made progress, like all of our sacrifices throughout the year were not in vain and I feel excited to know that we can move around this pwasa.
Perhaps this year the Cape Malay cultural tradition of koekies neem will also come back, of course with masks, sanitised hands and by keeping a safe social distance.
I see nothing wrong with this beloved tradition coming back on Level 1 of lockdown as we all should by now be educated about the virus and understand what is required from us to stop it from spreading.
It is important for this type of culture and tradition to make a comeback, just for our sanity, because it’s been a year of a totally new way of life, and we need to be reminded of the good old times.
It seems like no big deal, but the psychological impact that a small thing like koekies neem innie pwasa can have is huge for one’s belief that there is life after Corona.
I was quite excited also to hear that most masjids will be open for Taraweeh salaah, however you have to register beforehand to join.
There will obviously be protocols in place and I know people will wear masks, but look how far we have come by fighting together against this unseen enemy.
There will be jamaah salaah again this Ramadaan and this gives me that hope that we will overcome this pandemic sooner rather than later, because when people stand together in prayer in the house of the Almighty, then that prayer is much stronger.
Fasting is one way of cleansing ourselves physically and spiritually, but Muslims are also taught to fast outside Ramadaan if you are in need of something.
The month of Ramadaan is when the doors of mercy are wide open and prayers are answered more readily, more especially in the hour before you break your fast.
So let us ask Allah before we break our fast to lift this virus from the face of the earth.
It has been a tough year testing us spiritually and mentally.
Depression, anxiety and mental health have become topics of focus and I believe in order to cure the mind one needs to clean and feed your soul.
Let us utilise this Ramadaan to do this and bring hope to people who perhaps lost their jobs or a family member by being there for them and by saying a prayer for them during this holy month.
The simple tradition of koekies neem can add to that sense of normalcy, or seeing people walking to mosque.
I once worked in Scotland and didn’t hear the athaan for the entire month of pwasa, I just broke my fast when the time came and that was not normal for me.
It made me appreciate our culture and freedom even more and this is what is needed at this time – the belief that a normal life is just one labarang away.
With that said, let’s try and make this Ramadaan our best one yet, let us keep the spirit of sharing as always, and let us also keep the spirit of caring by keeping in mind the safety of others.
Do this by following the rules of sanitising and social distancing and hopefully by the end of this month, we will all be in the masjid making Eid salaah together, in sha Allah.
Ramadaan Kareem en pwasa lekker.