Lincoln Mosque Adapts to Ramadan During Pandemic

Just as it affected Easter and Passover, the coronavirus is now affecting how the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is observed. Here’s how one Lincoln mosque is adapting.

Ramadan started last week, and will continue through May 23. Muslims fast during the day, and break their fast with a meal, known as iftar, in the evening. Mohammad, a board member at the Islamic Foundation of Lincoln, described how evenings in Ramadan used to be observed.

“We used to get together every day to break our fast at the mosque like most of the people come and bring their food and we eat together, we social together. And at night time we have a Taraweeh, a prayer. And all these things have stopped due to coronavirus,” Mohammad said.

Mohammad said the mosque is doing what it can to keep people together virtually, using zoom for lectures and guest speakers. Most iftars these days are held by individual families who are staying home. But the mosque is still trying to make sure no one is left out.

“We still provide some Iftar, like especially for the single people who get busy with their schools. And we have some families cook. We made a schedule for Ramadan. And these families cook for these people and they make meals. And also we have community members who donated money for to sponsor these iftars,” he said.

Mohammad said the mosque also donated food boxes containing dates, a fruit used to break the fast, for people in prisons in Tecumseh and Lincoln, and at the Regional Center in Norfolk.

Editor's note: The audio and original web version of this story incorrectly stated the name of the organization of the mosque. It is the Islamic Foundation of Lincoln.