Muslims In Indonesia, Malaysia Start Ramzan With Covid Rules, Vaccines

Ramadan 2021: The Indonesian authorities said Covid-19 vaccination will continue throughout the Ramzan month

Muslims began marking Ramzan on Tuesday by following Covid-19 guidelines. Last year the mosques were empty during Ramzan when the coronavirus pandemic had started. Covid-19 cases are rising in Indonesia but vaccines are being administered and the government is relaxing restrictions. Mosques were allowed to open for Ramzan prayers with strict health protocols in place. Malls and cafes were also allowed to open. Neighbouring Muslim-majority Malaysia also eased restrictions, including last year's ban on "taraweeh" or night prayers and allowing open-air markets selling food and clothes. Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, in a televised address on Monday, announced that the new Ramzan moon had been spotted. The holy month is marked by prayers and dawn-to-dusk fasting. Last year, the authorities had shut all mosques and clerics urged people to pray at home during Ramzan. This year, people are expecting a rise in Covid cases and all mosques will continue to adhere to social distancing norms and other precautions, said Nasaruddin Umar, the Imam of Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand mosque.