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With Nova Scotia in a state of emergency due to COVID-19, Muslims across the province are gearing up to celebrate Ramadan in a different way this year.

Imam Wael Haridy of the Nova Scotia Islamic Community Centre (NSICC) said he and other imams in Nova Scotia recently held a meeting to discuss how Muslim Nova Scotians would celebrate the religious holiday, expected to begin on April 23 or 24 this year, or when a slight crescent moon is visible in the night sky.

The holiday runs for a whole month in the Islamic lunar calendar, which is 29 or 30 days. Typically, Haridy said Muslims pray, fast, recite the Quran, give back to the community and congregate throughout the month.

This year, he said Muslim Nova Scotians will aim to observe Ramadan, or “the most precious days of the year to Muslims,” in the same way, but instead of congregating inside “masjids” or mosques, they will have to celebrate from their homes instead, as mosques will remain closed.

“Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances of COVID-19, all this will be cancelled and we are guiding people and directing them to do this at home,” he said.

“It’s a difficult year on the whole of the world, but even more difficult on Muslims in this month of Ramadan.”

Canada’s chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, has advised Canadians to celebrate religious holidays such as Ramadan, Easter, Passover and Vaisakhi from home this year, recommending virtual means and phone calls to connect with others.

Mosques, such as the NSICC, will continue to offer guidance to Muslims through Facebook or Zoom during Ramadan, teaching them about the holiday, why Muslims fast during the month and encouraging them to pray at home with their families, according to Haridy.

“We will be encouraging them to revive the spirit of the month,” he said.

For Muslims who may be sick or elderly, Haridy said they will have an excuse to break their fast, which begins at dawn and ends at sunset every day throughout the month, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they can help feed people who are in need.

NSICC and other mosques in the Halifax Regional Municipality will be raising funds online throughout Ramadan – as opposed to at the end of the month as they normally would – to support those in need, as a charitable donation or a “zakat,” is one of the five pillars of Islam, said Haridy.

Haridy encourages all Nova Scotians to reach out if they need help.

"This is the month of goodness (for) Muslims, so if you need help, never hesitate to contact us, we'll be happy. This help is not just for Muslims, but for everybody in need – this is just from something we have (to offer) out of our hearts," said Haridy.

With Ramadan quickly approaching, Haridy said he will personally be setting up lights, an Islamic calendar, a glass with dates – with which he will break his fast – and other pieces of decor around his home to help remind him “of the virtue of this month,” encouraging others to do the same.

“It’s something that makes people, kids especially, happy, with the coming of the month of Ramadan. We have something like lights, something that brings a special feeling.”