Ramadan 2021 is upon us. About 1.8 billion Muslims have entered a month of reflection, fasting and celebration. But for the second year in a row, the day-to-day reality of the occasion will be different.
In 2020, Muslims across the globe first came to terms with a drastically altered Ramadan. In the UAE, mosques were closed throughout the month, an unprecedented but necessary measure to limit the spread of Covid-19. This year, with the Emirates having one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, Ramadan will ever so slightly start to resemble what it had been before the pandemic. Mosques will now be open, but subject to sanitisation before and after prayers, and strict social distancing measures. Worshippers will have to bring their own prayer mats and Qurans. Optional taraweeh prayers will be permitted in mosques at night, but communal iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, will not. While measures across the Middle East are generally set to be less restrictive than last year, most nations are implementing similar limits to those in the UAE.
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ramadan decorations on the Corniche at sunset in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
All religions have adapted during the pandemic
None of this means that Ramadan 2021 will be any less spiritual. It is still an opportunity to reflect on the blessings that we have and how we can help others. Two years of abnormality will never alter the long-standing values of the month, which Muslims have been promoting for 14 centuries. Charity, one such ideal, had a boost on Sunday when the UAE set out a plan to fund 100 million meals in 20 different countries. On the same day, the country pardoned 439 prisoners. And as mosques across the world prepare to welcome worshippers during the most holy part of the year, an army of volunteers will offer their time to sanitise and keep locations safe for all those who use them.
The National has reported on how people are confronting these difficult circumstances creatively. Bismillah Buddies, an Islamic educational brand for children, has published After Iftar Tales, a new collection of stories by authors from Dubai to London, which teaches children about the meaning of Ramadan at a time when they are unable to experience it in full. The world of fashion is rallying round its struggling designers by organising pre-Ramadan exhibitions, such as Sawa, which was created by two Dubai friends to support local entrepreneurs who have been negatively affected by Covid-19.
All religions have had to alter their practices in one form or another during the pandemic. For Muslims observing Ramadan, this is still a blessed time. Limits on community life can be countered by connecting online, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and reflecting on what has been achieved. Spiritual renewal is never an easy process but it is a fulfilling one. And with discipline today, things might be very different next year.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
