MUSLIMS in the locked down area of Masjid India in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur are resigned to a quiet Ramadan this year brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic which has ravaged the world.

Being housebound all day, they will not be able to pray at the iconic mosque in the neighbourhood and will miss breaking fast with friends and families.

They said that they will also miss the crowds, noise and carnival atmosphere in the area known for its Ramadan bazaars.

This year, Covid-19 has cancelled all of these, and for the residents of Masjid India, it is worse because of the full lockdown.

Tajuddin Farook, a Selangor Mansion resident of six years, was more concerned about his prayers and religious obligations during this holy month.

He said this is the first Ramadan in many years he is unable to perform terawih prayers at the mosque.

He added that praying at home is not the same as praying at the mosque during the holy month.

“Terawih prayers are special because it takes place during the month of Ramadan and for years, I have been going to the mosque to pray.

“When you pray with a group of people in the mosque, they say you’ll get berkat (blessings),” said the 52-year-old.

However, he understands that due to the pandemic, this is a sacrifice he needs to make this year.

Tajuddin said enforcement officers have been collecting the data of Muslims living there to ensure they get their food on time during the fasting month.

“The officers said the meals for sahur will be delivered as early as 3am and dinner delivered by 6pm.”

Selangor Mansion and the nearby Malayan Mansion in the Masjid India area were placed under the EMCO on April 7 after 15 Covid-19 cases were detected there.

About 5,000 people live in the 365 residential units in lockdown.

A week earlier, Menara City One, about 700m from the two buildings, was placed under EMCO after the condominium reported 17 virus cases.  The building houses 3,200 residents in its  502 residential units.

Most of the residents in these three buildings are foreigners.

On April 14, the government put all of Jalan Masjid India and its surrounding areas in lockdown.

Indian national Syeikh Abdul Kader, 46, said that he would miss breaking fast with his friends and co-workers during Ramadan.

The jewellery shop worker said it was comforting for someone like him, who worked far from home, to eat with the people he knew here during Ramadan.

“We don’t get to do it often since we work in a jewellery shop but during the Ramadan month, we get to break fast together.

“Sometimes, our colleagues would bring food from their homes and we would have it together but that is not possible this year,” he said.

Syeikh said he missed his family in India and was worried about their safety as the virus has affected many countries.

“My family is in India and if anything happens, I can’t leave this place because we are under lockdown. It’s unsure how long this will go on,” he said, adding that his prayers are for the safety of everyone.

Alauddin, a resident of the Malayan Mansion, said it will be a subdued Ramadan this year, adding that he misses the usual bustling bazaars and crowds.

He said while he understands that the restrictions are in place for the safety of the people, the experience is unusual for him.

“I know that Ramadan is not only about the bazaar, food, clothes and other stuff but that has always brought a sense of excitement for us.

“This year, we can do nothing except stay in our flats, perform our daily prayers, pray for safety and hope that all this ends soon,” he said.

Selangor Mansion has so far reported 146 Covid-19 cases, Malayan Mansion four cases, and Menara City One 51 cases with one death.

In areas under a full lockdown, basic supplies are provided by the government for the residents, who are confined to their homes while the health authorities carry out case detection among the communities. – AFP, April 25, 2020.