THIS RAMADAN has been like no other.

As the UK has been locked down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s black Muslim community – around 272,000 people – have been finding novel ways to observe the holy month.

The restrictive measures have seen a time traditionally centred around shared Iftars and communal prayers at the mosque, transform into a smaller, modest experience.

“It’s been one of the best months of my life, and definitely one of my best Ramadans,” said Khadeejah B, the founder of The Black Muslim Girl.

“I’ve often felt black Muslim women have been left out, and for the first time I feel involved and a beautiful sense of community”

Khadeejah B, founder of The Black Muslim Girl

For Khadeejah, the lockdown was a “blessing in disguise” and allowed her ample time for reflection.

She added: “I’ve realised a lot of things I thought mattered, really don’t matter at all. It’s made me be more mindful of what’s going on around the world, and spend my time more purposefully.”

This sentiment of being essentially given the gift of time while spending Ramadan with restrictive measures in place was echoed by Maamun Hajmahmoud, the office manager at Kick It Out.

He said he found this Ramadan to be “more productive” than others, adding it had definitely been an “eye-opener”.

He said: “This Ramadan has 100 per cent made me more reflective on life. It’s made me think ‘what am I actually praying for?’, and has brought me closer to God.”

The lockdown measures have ensured most remain at home, reuniting families who, ordinarily, may lead very separate lives on busy schedules.

For Rashidat Hassan, the assistant general secretary at Muslim Council of Britain, this holy month has brought her family together.

She said: “For the first time in a long time during Ramadan, my family has been able to observe all our prayers together.

“Yes I miss the feeling of being in the mosque, but I’ve gained the closeness of family.”

The yearning for the community spirit was something felt by everyone we spoke to, with many missing partaking in Tarawih – an evening gathering that sees members share food and pray together at the mosques.

However Muslim communities across the UK have shown admirable resilience and flexibility throughout Ramadan – and lockdown as a whole – with many mosques adapting physical services into virtual ones.

Rashidat, who is also a volunteer at Old Kent Road mosque, home to the Muslim Association of Nigeria UK, described the new measures that have been introduced over the past weeks.

“The mosque plays a big part in social activity for the older generation,” she said.

“There was fear that they would feel isolated and miss out. So every single day for the month of Ramadan we’ve put on virtual services.”

There were no less than 150 participants who tuned into the Zoom services every day, with many more who joined on other social media channels.

Meanwhile Maamun found himself tuning into a friend’s nightly video calls in which the group learned and discussed Islamic prophets.

Aisha Rimi, host of The Black Muslim Girl’s podcast, explained the platform had launched its own online course for four weeks, allowing space for continuous conversation online.

“What I love about the [Muslim] community, is how its been able to make turn make Ramadan as productive and spiritual as possible,” she said.

Togetherness

As well as making its facilities as accessible as possible for members, many mosques have also upped their charitable efforts throughout the holy month to ensure no one is left behind.

Soukeyna Osei-Bonsu, managing director of Black Muslim Forum, said a lot of mosques had launched initiatives to make and deliver food to vulnerable people.

She said: “The spirit of Ramadan remained within mosques. It’s nice that despite the challenge of isolation people are finding ways to maintain togetherness and celebrate this month.”

The speed and success at which mosques and the Muslim community have been able to adapt, was somewhat of a welcomed surprise for Khadeejah, who said the transformation reignited a sense of community spirit.

She said: “I’ve often felt black Muslim women have been left out, and for the first time I feel involved and a beautiful sense of community.”

Eid celebrations begin with a special morning prayer that Muslims observe together at the mosque.

The holy day is heavily focused on family and community, with many relatives and friends meeting up to indulge in food and share stories.

For all those we spoke to, this would prove the most difficult aspect of observing it in lockdown.

“I’ve never prayed at home for Eid, it’s always been at mosque,” said Maamun, who explained his family would this year catch up over video-call and enjoy a BBQ, weather-permitting.

Eid at home

Aisha is determined the festive spirit will not subside despite the lockdown: “I will do Eid prayers at home but I’m still going to dress up, eat a lot and spend time with my family.”

Soukeyna said her local mosque would work to bring a part of Eid to the doorstep of its members.

“It will drop off Jollof rice and grilled meat to all of the congregation,” she said.

“It’s the same philosophy: eating, spending time with family, laughing.”

“We need to be as innovative as possible”

Rashidat Hassan, assistant general secretary at Muslim Council of Britain

Khadeejah plans to spend the day hosting her own virtual Eid party with family, although said it would feel “out of place” not to be surrounded by the rest of the community on the day.

Having gone to Eid in the Park for over a decade, she said it was an “absolute bummer” she was not able to spend Eid at the alfresco extravaganza, which hosts a range of exciting events and activities and is open to all.

Those at Old Kent Road mosque are determined to make Eid as special as possible, and have launched its own Online Eid Fiesta in lieu of its usual park party.

The event will host nasheed performances, spoken word poetry, recipe challenges and family games over the weekend.

“We need to be [as] innovative as possible as we want people to stay at home and stay safe,” Rashidat said.

When all is said and done, there is no doubt this Ramadan spent during lockdown will be one to remember.

“It’s been monumental, and has definitely steered people in the right direction, encouraging them to re-evaluate their faith and become closer to god,” Aisha said. 

While Maamun admitted he would definitely miss the spirituality he’s had over the past few weeks, Khadeejah said the experience had been very “refreshing”.

“It’s definitely something I’ll be telling my children about,” she added.