With lockdown restrictions being slowly eased in April, it is hoped that there is no repeat of the hammer fisted way the Government suddenly cancelled Eid al-Adha celebrations last year without warning or consultation with Muslim communities. Much of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been chaotic, piecemeal and confusing.

Worse still, the Government has shown no indication of improving its relations with Muslim representative groups to be able to work jointly not only generally but more importantly in the vaccination campaign and challenges facing Muslims during Ramadan.

An initial analysis of the mortality rate from the deadly disease indicates that fasting and cultural practices associated with Ramadan had no detrimental effects on Covid-19 deaths, according to a study published in the Journal of International Health.

However, Muslims who suffer from acute or chronic illness are exempt from fasting. Muslims will be breaking their fast with their immediate families and with their friends or in communal gatherings due to the pandemic as they did last year. However, this year they will be able to continue to go to mosques for prayers. Except there will be restrictions on the number of those who can attend prayers as they have to ensure social distancing, so most people will be praying at home as they did last Ramadan.

There are discussions of whether one can vaccinate against Covid-19 or not during fasting. According to Muslim scholars, vaccination does not invalidate the fast is allowed. There are discussions on whether mosques and other vaccination hubs can provide vaccination after iftar (breaking of fast) for those who wish to do so. It is very important to vaccinate against Covid-19 when called to do so.