MUSLIMS are bracing for a Ramadan unlike any in living memory when the holy month begins on Friday.

Bustling food bazaars, buffets, packed mosques and decorations at shopping malls and on the streets are features of the month.

But even as the Covid-19 pandemic has put a stop to all the festivities, Muslims told The Malaysian Insight their spirits are up.

They said the movement-control order (MCO) will give them more time for prayers, family and self-reflection.

“Maybe this is how Allah wants his believers to get closer to him,” said housewife Zaiton Abu Bakar.

“Previously during Ramadan, we were too busy with our lives that we did not even break fast at home.

“My husband never got to break fast every day with the family and there were days when my children would break fast outside.”

Zaiton said under the MCO, families will be able to break fast together and perform the five daily prayers together.

“There’s good and bad in this situation. Maybe the only bad part is if there’s a sick family member, we are unable to visit them.”

Siti Marliza from Selangor said Ramadan under the MCO will be an opportunity for her to get closer to God.

“It will give us more time for reflection and the opportunity to get closer to God as we will be spending the holy month at home,” said the 46-year-old.

Marliza said this Ramadan won’t be as lavish but sufficient enough to welcome the fasting month full of “barakah and taqwa” (blessings and piety).

“With the pandemic now, not being able to take part in congregational prayers and breaking fast with family and friends during Ramadan is a bit frustrating and it will be culturally alien to us,” she said.

Housewife Hasnah Rahmat said as much she wishes the MCO would end before Ramadan ends so that Muslims can celebrate Aidilfitri, it’s also important to be considerate.

“Frankly, we hope that the MCO will end so that we all can fast and celebrate Aidilfitri as per normal. However, we understand and accept if the situation is maintained, as we cannot afford to be selfish,” the 50-year-old said.

“Yeah, it does feel different this time around, no bazaars, no tarawih prayers at the mosque, or surau.

“From a positive perspective, this is the ideal moment to spend time with family.

“Maybe some family members were always absent before this because of work or studies, but now all the children are at home. We’ll have to perform tarawih prayers at home but it’s okay. What can we do about it anyway?”

However, some Muslims are saddened by the cancellation of tarawih prayers and bazaars.

Rozaidi Zulkifli, 30, from Kodiang, Kedah said this Ramadan would be really different compared with before.

“To me, there is a lot of difference compared to previous years. We can’t break fast or perform tarawih prayers at the mosque this year.

“Mosques, like bazaars, are also considered a place of festivity during Ramadan, so it’s sad but I’m sure there’s a meaning behind all these.

“As Muslims, we are to have complete faith in God’s plans,” she said.

Last week, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said any form of Ramadan bazaar this year would be banned, including via drive-through and pack-and-pick, while e-hailing is allowed.

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections. Under the MCO, all public gatherings are banned.

The virus has so far infected 5,482 and killed 92 nationwide. – April 22, 2020.