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Muslims in US Feel 'Blessed' Mosques Are Open During Ramadan

Deborah Block

   ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - Muslims in the United States say they feel
   blessed that the mosques are open for Islam's holiest month, Ramadan,
   which ends on May 12.

   Last year at this time, their doors were closed due to the coronavirus
   pandemic. Now, with the rate of infections mostly decreasing across the
   country and millions of Americans receiving the vaccine, mosques are
   reopening.

   For Muslims, who make up about 1% of the U.S. population, Ramadan is a
   time for spiritual reflection, fasting during daylight hours and
   helping those in need.

   "Ramadan is still a little different," said Amir Mohammed, originally
   from Ethiopia, who goes to a mosque in Alexandria, Virginia. Even with
   wearing masks, checking temperatures and limiting the number of people
   in the mosques to about half capacity, "it is still a blessing," he
   said.
   Imam Naeem Baig talks about self-reflection during Ramadan at the Dar
   Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, Falls Church, Virginia. (Courtesy Dar
   Al-Hijrah Islamic Center)

   Imam Naeem Baig, outreach director at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
   in Falls Church, Virginia agreed.

   "People are so happy the mosque is open," he said. "It gives them an
   opportunity to see each other and pray together -- the feeling of
   community you can't get by being at home."

   "I'm thrilled to be back in the mosque with the brothers and sisters,"
   said Imam Khalid Griggs, with the Community Mosque of Winston Salem, in
   North Carolina. "If Allah (God) wanted to take my soul right now, I
   would feel complete."

   During the past year, some mosques used technology to continue that
   sense of community. "We are still livestreaming Friday's nightly
   prayers on our mosque's Facebook page," Baig said.
   Men praying at the Worcester Islamic Center, Worcester, Massachusetts.
   (Courtesy Worcester Islamic Center)

   Besides livestreaming prayers, the Worcester Islamic Center in
   Massachusetts also holds popular virtual education programs for young
   people on topics such as what Islam says about the family.

   When the mosque reopened, Imam Asif Hirani was surprised to see so many
   young people coming during Ramadan. They are "becoming more spiritual
   and attending prayers," he said, "and asking me questions about prayer
   and charity."

   Some of the older generations are worried about getting infected with
   the coronavirus at the mosque, Hirani said, so they may not come.

   Some people are concerned about getting injected with the vaccine,
   especially during Ramadan, the imams said. They say they encourage
   their communities to get the shot.

   "We believe that medication is encouraged by the Prophet (Muhammad),"
   Baig said. Hirani elaborated: "There is a principle in Islam that human
   life needs to be preserved no matter what." For Muslims who are
   concerned the vaccine could break their fast, it won't, Griggs added,
   "because the vaccine is not going into the digestive system."

   Some things still have not returned to normal. Community meals like
   iftar, the meal after sunset to break the day's fast, are largely not
   happening.

   "I miss the fellowship of inviting friends and family for iftar," said
   Imam Rafiq Mahdi, the co-founder of the Muslim Community of Knoxville,