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>>, DID THE PRAYERS ALONE AND TURNED AROUND, BECAUSE I WOULD EVERY PRAYER, TO SEE NO ONE BEHIND ME, AND THAT WAS VERY IMPACTFUL FOR ME. >> A REFLECTION FROM IMAM HUSSAIN AS THE LARGEST MOSQUE IN MILWAUKEE SITS EMPTY. >> WE WOULD HAVE 1500 PEOPLE FOR PRAYERS EVERY NIGHT. THAT WILL NOT >> HAPPEN. -- THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN. >> THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE MADE THE DECISION TO CLOSE ITS DOORS TO HELP WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING. THE CLOSURE NOW STRETCHES INTO THE MONTH OF RAMADAN WHEN HUNDREDS WOULD STAND TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY PRAYER. >> THEY WILL STAND BASICALLY SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. THE PRAYER INVOLVES STANDING AND PROSTRATING ON THE GROUND, SO THERE IS A LOT OF CONTACT. >> BUT THIS INTO ROOM CREATES ANOTHER CHALLENGE. THIS TIME OF YEAR IS WHEN A LOT OF MONEY COMES IN. >> EVERY FRIDAY, PEOPLE LEAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DONATIONS FOR THE MOSQUE AND FOR THE POOR AND THE NEEDY. NOT HAVING THAT ANYMORE IS DEFINITELY GOING TO IMPACT THE MOSQUE. >> BUT LEADERS HERE HOPE THIS CHALLENGE HELPS STRENGTHEN

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Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan, which began at sundown Thursday and continues through May. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinMuslims fast from dawn to dusk. The month is usually filled with evening gatherings for prayer, but the pandemic is creating challenges."I did the prayers alone, and I turned around, as I would every prayer to see nobody behind me, and that was very impactful for me," said Iman Noman Hussain, of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. The largest mosque in Milwaukee sits empty."We have 1,500 people that would come at night each and every night during Ramadan, you know? That’s not going to happen," Islamic Society of Milwaukee Director Othman Atta said. The Islamic Society of Milwaukee made the decision to close its doors to help with social distancing."We felt that our form of prayer carried with it greater risk," Atta said. The closure now stretches into the month of Ramadan when hundreds would stand together in community in prayer."They will stand basically shoulder to shoulder next to each other, and the prayer involves standing bowing and being on the ground, so there’s a lot of contact," Atta said. The pandemic presents another problem: this time of year is typically the time when a lot of money pours in. "Every Friday people leave thousands of dollars in donations for the mosque and for the needy not having that anymore is definitely going to impact the mosque,” Hussain said. Leaders here hope this challenge helps strengthen the faith. "Just trying to keep the community connected," Hussain said. The mosque said it has donated $50,000 worth of food to local families in need.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube