WAYLAND, Mass. — With the global pandemic keeping houses of worship closed, for now, local Islamic centers have turned to virtual platforms to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.
“Ramadan is a time of community. It’s a time of coming together, meeting old friends, praying together. Taking part in all of our traditions together,” said Amer Syed, president of the Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland. “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that in person this year.”
Syed said ICB Wayland normally hosts nightly prayer sessions during Ramadan, as well as Saturday iftars where Muslims break the daily fast, which attracts about 500 people. This year, the Islamic Center has quickly moved to Facebook Live, Zoom and other virtual platforms to stream spiritual guidance and maintain the feeling of community.
“We understand our responsibility to the community and our foremost priority is to keep everyone safe,” Syed said. "We’re keeping our spirits high.”
ICB Wayland has also shifted the youth Sunday school programming online and created an outreach effort to all of its senior members, providing whatever help might be needed during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Syed told Boston 25 News that Ramadan is a time for charity and ICB Wayland’s charitable giving has increased during the pandemic.
“Ramadan is a time during which we recognize the suffering of others and the need of others,” he said. “The charitable aspect and really thinking about others who are in need has really been brought home to us during this time,” he said.
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