MUSLIMS are bracing for a possible movement-control order (MCO) extension that would encroach into the fasting month that is slated to begin on April 24. 

Any extension would effectively spell an end to the festive Ramadan bazaars nationwide and would also continue to separate Muslims from their families during the period.

They are also slowly gearing towards a muted Aidlfitri celebration even if the MCO is lifted as they are unsure of a post-Covid-19 recovery.

For the moment, the MCO is in force until April 14, with a high possibility of it being extended.

“It would be sad if the MCO is extended through the festive season,” said Noorsakina Badron, a 32-year-old civil servant based in Penang but whose family are in Johor. 

“Certainly, it has a profound effect as many people would be away from their families. There may not by any celebration this year. One may not even be able to return home, to be with family,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Several states, such as Terengganu, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Kedah, said there will be no Ramadan bazaar this year, to prevent Covid-19 from spreading.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said on Monday a federal decision on whether to allow Ramadan bazaars would be known by mid-April, immediately after the end of the MCO, based on the current Covid-19 situation.

Up to yesterday evening, there were 45 deaths while 2,908 were hospitalised after catching the virus.

If infections continue, places of Islamic worship, such as the surau and mosques, would bar worshippers and won’t hold prayer events and programmes associated with Aiditfitri.

“Some of us are fortunate enough to be with our families but there are those of us who have to sit by ourselves. We should obey the MCO and break the Covid-19 chain together,” said Noor Hisham.

An MCO extension would be a “nightmare” for food vendors as the fasting month represents the best opportunity to make money, said hawker Azri Atan, 35.

“It’s doubly bad because there would be no pasar malam to earn a living, let alone the Ramadan bazaar.”

Azri is delivering milk door-to-door during the MCO to make ends meet.

“We have to invest in the online world in order to make deliveries personally to people’s homes,” he said, adding that he was prepared for the MCO to be extended beyond Ramadan and Syawal.

“For the sake of our future and our national security, we are obliged to obey the MCO.”

Samsinar Bokeri, 56, said he can’t imagine Ramadan without tarawih prayers at the local mosque in his hometown of Batu Pahat.

The farmer said he would usually be at the mosque for Isyak prayers in the afternoon before performing the traditional prayer with villagers.

“The festivities of the fasting month are most palpable with tarawih prayers. If there is none, it would not be the same atmosphere like in previous years.

“Even more so now that fardu and Friday prayers can’t be performed at the mosque,” said the father of two.

To curb the spread of Covid-19, the government has banned any religious activity involving public gatherings since March 18.

Amalina Sofia Hamka, 29, said despite the situation being awkward, she is ready to face an unusual Ramadan season because of Covid-19.

“The MCO has affected my daily routine and if extended until Ramadan, most likely, I won’t feel like going to Ramadan bazaars this year.

“In previous years I could pray at surau or mosques. Maybe this year, I would do it at home to avoid the crowd,” said Petaling Jaya resident.

She said it is the duty of the public to obey the MCO to curb the Covid-19 outbreak.

“This year, I don’t think I’ll be able to balik kampung to celebrate with my family, if this pandemic continues. I think our best hope is to follow the government’s instructions and not be selfish or irresponsible.” – April 2, 2020.