How Ramadan is different this year in Bangladesh

25/4/2021

Muslim communities around the world are currently observing Ramadan, it’s a very important month in the Islamic calendar. For the communities we support in Bangladesh, Ramadan is a time to look forward to.

Nural Islam told us, “Ramadan is special for me, and I will get some special new clothes at the end of Ramadan during Eid”.

But this year, like so many other religious occasions, celebrations and festivals, the pandemic has affected the way that Muslim communities can prepare for, observe and celebrate Ramadan.

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In Bangladesh, there is currently a strict lockdown in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. In Kutupalong and Cox’s Bazar, the lockdown has had a huge impact on the communities we work with, leaving many people unable to work and without any income. Whilst the prices for necessities have increased substantially leaving many unable to afford basic supplies for their families.

Programme Manager Sudeb Rudra said “The Covid-19 situation is worse this year compared to last year. Coronavirus has a great impact on celebrating Ramadan. The whole world is crying today because of the virus. People from all walks of life are in trouble. The lockdown system has been introduced so that the coronavirus cannot spread, but this results in a huge loss of income for common people. In addition, as a result of the pandemic and lockdown, the prices of essential commodities have increased boundlessly. Which is beyond the purchasing power of the common person. The price is almost double this year as it was last year. At the same time, there is no income.”

“For the poor, Ramadan has a different meaning. Those who cannot afford good food and dress receive charity from others. This is the beautiful part of Islam. But in this pandemic situation, the lower class and maximum of the middle-class families hit hard economically. People are struggling to afford their own families. So there is less scope of charity from the individual. ”

We spoke to Nural’s father Khurshed and school teacher Monira Begum to find out how Ramadan is different for them this year:

Nurul Islam and his father Khurshed outside their home.

Khurshed Alam

Nurul’s father Khurshed is a taxi driver. He told us “Ramadan is always special for Muslims, as it is a holy month and Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship.

Compared to other year's Ramadan me and my family are not able to celebrate well this year. Due to lockdown I am not able to go outside to earn money by driving a taxi. All public transport is restricted to move. The irony is from the first day of Ramadan the stricter lockdown started. There is no scope to earn money. Overall, this is not a good celebration of Ramadan. I am spending time with my family but I am still depressed”.

Monira Begum

Monira and her family

“The government has imposed a lockdown due to the increase in the infection and death rate of coronavirus due to the ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. According to government rules, leaving home is restricted without an urgent need, so necessary shopping for Ramadan while maintaining social distance is very hard and I have to do everything myself.

However, I am celebrating Ramadan better with my family members than many other people in the society whose income is already stopped due to lockdown. Every year during the month of Ramadan, my father was by my side. But since my father died last year, I have to handle all my work alone.

Although Ramadan is a month of joy, I can't enjoy being with my family because of the coronavirus. The epidemic is affecting our lives in various ways during the celebration of Ramadan such as job loss, lack of income, family financial problems, etc. I myself face a lot of problems like I can't go to school properly. The fear of losing a job as a result of not being able to go to school always haunts me. There is a scarcity of goods at the market and the prices are very high. I can't participate in social work”.

Children on the Edge is continuing to support teachers in Bangladesh during lockdown and whilst the Learning Centres are closed.

Your support this Ramadan will help children like Nural get back to school once lockdown is lifted.

Classrooms have been closed during lockdown, but the hope is they will be re-opening again after Eid.

For almost a year children have continued to learn in small groups outside with their teachers, but they can’t wait to be back with friends again in their colourful classrooms and school gardens.

Nural says "I always love to go to school, but we have not been able to go during lockdown. I am looking forward to going again as I like the reading and writing, the playing and the games”.

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