Muslim community in Sheffield urged to celebrate Ramadan at home

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, has written to the Muslim community to remind them of social distancing measures during the holy month of Ramadan.

He said: “I write to you before Ramadan begins to ask you, this year, to observe Ramadan at home rather than by visiting the mosque – something that the Jewish and Christian communities have already had to do with Passover and Easter.

“This would be an act of charity for the sake of the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

“When the crisis has passed we can return again to our places of worship and give thanks to God for all his blessing to us.”

The letter comes as experts warned of a potential spike in coronavirus cases during Ramadan.

The holy month is set to begin tomorrow and is typically a time of increased communal activity for Muslims.

Dr Billings said police officers would be continuing to ensure social distancing rules were being followed in the region throughout Ramadan.

He said: “In normal times, you would also spend time in the mosque with fellow believers, hear verses from the Holy Qur’an and do good in the community.

“However, these are not normal times.

“This year we have been afflicted with a terrible disease, Covid-19.

“This is a world-wide pandemic, but the nations of the world are not at the same stage in the progress of the disease.

“Some are beginning to emerge from lockdown, but we have yet to face the peak of its impact in this country, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks.

“If we are to overcome the disease with fewer people becoming ill and fewer dying, we need to observe the emergency measures the government has announced, especially in this next period of time.

“The job of the police is to ensure we all do this and they may stop us and remind us of these measures if we are out in a public place.”