Ramadan in a pandemic: more distance, same faith

This figure has been provided by Javier Isla, one of the spokespersons of the Muslim community in Malaga province. For the second year running, this will be a Ramadan marked by restrictions, with face masks, social distancing and reduced numbers in the mosques, a reminder of the pandemic currently affecting the world.

Malaga city has five mosques; the main one, known as Mezquita al-Ándalus is one of the biggest in Europe. It can hold 1,000 people and has three prayer rooms. As well as the four smaller ones in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol there are also mosques in Marbella and Fuengirola.

Chasmedinne helps out at one of the city's smaller mosques, in La Palma-Palmilla. He explains some of the basic notions of Ramadan: "All Muslims who have passed puberty and are healthy have to do it. Breakfast is before sunrise and fasting should last until there's no daylight left."

Chasmedinne points out that the social aspect of the large dinners after dark (iftar) during Ramadan has been lost again this year due to the pandemic. The Islamic Commission has called on Muslims to avoid large gatherings. In any case the Andalusian government prohibits gatherings of more than six people.

Hussam Siddiq is the director of the al-Ándalus mosque, which also houses the Andalusí cultural centre. He is 33 and has arrived in Malaga recently from Madrid.

Everyone knows what a mosque is but few know what happens inside. Hussam, representing a new, more integrated generation, wants that to change and has even created an Instagram account (@Mezquita_ Malaga).

This bridging of two worlds, however, will have to wait until after the pandemic. Today only 200 people can be in this huge mosque at any one time.

"No one can come in without a face mask and now everyone has to bring their own mat from home. The safe distance is marked with stickers on the floor," explains Siddiq.