Stefanie McCollum
Stefanie McCollum, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar
When famous Italian tenor Bocelli performed in an empty cathedral in Milan on Easter Sunday, he described the event as a “prayer” not a concert. Livestreamed on his YouTube channel, he hoped the event would bring together people from around the world who have been isolated because of COVID-19. It did. In fact, it set a YouTube record as the biggest musical livestream of all time.
Yet Bocelli characterized the situation of being alone in a cathedral on Easter Sunday as “abnormal”.
Indeed, these are “abnormal” times, when the faithful around the world are trying to cope with the restrictive social and physical distancing measures implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19, while also seeking to maintain their spiritual connections. Places of worship have been closed in many parts of the world, including here in Qatar, where mosques have been shut for several weeks. The same is true in Canada, including for the more than 1 million Muslim-Canadians who are not able to visit the many mosques across the country.
However, just because places of worship have been forced to close their doors does not mean they cease to function, as technology and innovation are making things easier. Take for example the Al Rashid mosque in Edmonton, the oldest mosque in Canada. Its story has always been one of innovation since its construction in 1938, when its doors opened to worshipers through funds raised by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Now, despite its doors being closed because of COVID-19 restrictions, Friday sermons are livestreamed through the mosque’s Facebook page.
While for some spirituality is an individual and private matter, for many around the world – like the millions who joined Bocelli’s Easter livestream prayer – it is a collective exercise with many communal aspects to it. Perhaps no other religious activity personifies this like Ramadan, which when compared to other religious activities, stands out for its duration. A month long spiritual journey, centered on fasting, but which also celebrates gatherings and socializing around prayers and food. From my past Ramadan experiences – in Canada, Egypt, and last year, here in Qatar – I learned that the communal aspect of the holy month is what makes it easier for many to observe the demanding dawn-to-dusk fasting for a whole month.
Unlike previous Ramadans, however, the current pandemic situation will make Ramadan 2020 different: Iftar gatherings will not be permitted; night (Taraweeh) prayers cannot be offered at mosques; and official Suhoor receptions - to my disappointment - will not feature in my Ramadan calendar.
It will be difficult. Humans by nature are social beings, and our desire to connect with family and friends may tempt us to practice what we have done every previous Ramadan. We should not. We should fight that desire, and collectively help each other to maintain social distancing and respect measures introduced by Qatari authorities.
Yes, sadly, the Bocellis of the Muslim world will have no audience to enjoy their beautiful recitation of the holy Qur’an as mosques will be closed. Many of us will miss being among family and friends during Iftars and Suhoors, when their company could help us to recharge to carry on with fasting. Perhaps Bocelli’s Easter reflection of his experience in an empty cathedral can offer us some solace: “[the event] will be a prayer and as a consequence it will not be important who is present physically but rather who wants to be with me spiritually.”
While this year’s Easter has been unlike any in the past, the experience will stay with me and my family. Perhaps years from now many of us will look back and share with each other what we all acquired during this pandemic - resilience and a sense of collective unity at a time of adversity. There is already evidence of this taking place in Qatar, with many Qataris and residents volunteering and donating to help with the efforts to deal with COVID-19. Furthermore, Qatar Charity has launched its Ramadan projects, including Iftar food baskets targeting some 420,900 individuals in Qatar, while the Qatari Red Crescent’s Ramadan Food Drive is bringing in record donations.
Ramadan, after all, is also about sharing and helping the needy.
During this holy month, I wish all our friends in Qatar a blessed, peaceful, and healthy Ramadan. While we must be physically seperated, we will remain spiritually connected.
Ramadan Kareem.
