London Mosque is closed because of the lockdown (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)

A doctor has warned of a potential ‘big spike’ in coronavirus cases during Ramadan.

The holy month, set to begin on April 23, is typically a time of increased communal activity for Britain’s three million Muslims.

Dr Adnan Sharif, a consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEH) where roughly four in 10 Covid-19 patients is from a black, Asian or ethnic minority (BAME) background, said ‘anything that leads to more social interaction is a big worry’, adding: ‘People traditionally gather to open and close prayers and break fast at sundown with friends and neighbours, which could cause a big spike in infections.’



His warning follows calls from the British Medical Association (BMA) for an inquiry into why people from BAME backgrounds appear more vulnerable to the respiratory disease.


Lockdown has resulted in the closure of mosques and a ban on large gatherings, preventing communal prayers and people coming together for shared meals of Suhoor and Iftar at either end of the daily fast.

The changes have led to worshippers having to come up with new and innovative ways of celebrating, with the Muslim Council of Britain telling The Times it is ‘imperative’ to observe the holy month ‘very differently’ this year by sticking to social distancing rules.

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The Ramadan Tent Project usually holds Open Iftar events across the UK, where hundreds of people from all faiths can sit shoulder to shoulder under a canvas and share a meal.

They are hoping thousands will join them for a virtual Iftar on the first day of Ramadan this year.

Those who sign up will receive a pack containing everything they’ll need to create their own Iftar experience while staying at home, including recipes, decorations, games and fact sheets.

Meals will carry on throughout the holy month over Zoom, with calls to prayer livestreamed over Facebook each day.

Worshippers are having to come up with innovative ways to pray during lockdown (Picture: EPA)

The non-profit organisation says it is ‘an opportunity for millions of people who will be observing from their homes to celebrate and share the Ramadan spirit during an unprecedented time of physical distancing’.

Founder and CEO Omar Salha added: ‘The holy month of Ramadan is a gateway to all, observant or otherwise, to pause, reflect and re-connect with our collective humanity; and it is incredibly exciting to be able to continue hosting the UK’s largest community event in Ramadan this year.

‘Covid-19 may have impacted on all of our Open Iftar events leading to them being called off, but Ramadan is not cancelled, and we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative organisation.

‘Our virtual Iftar’s will provide a platform for people to safely unite, share their experiences and achieve a sense of belonging, at a time when it’s needed the most.’



Other faith leaders around the UK have launched online services, often reaching audiences bigger than those which would typically visit standard places of worship as people look to religion for support during these uncertain times.

Worshippers attend morning prayer during Eid celebrations in Small Heath Park, Birmingham, last year (Picture: PA)

Dr Sharif said it remains unclear why the virus seems to disproportionately affect non-white groups.

He suggested: ‘They usually have households of multiple occupancy, where grandparents, parents and children all live in the same home and there is lots of communal activity.’

Other experts pointed to socioeconomic factors along with the fact that many BAME patients tend to have public-facing roles and live in cities hit worst by the virus.

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