Naimatullah Basharat, Denmark Correspondent
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, during the holy month of Ramadan, in Denmark, as in some other countries, places of worship of all religions, including mosques, are closed for all kinds of worship on the instructions of the government.
A few days before Ramadan, the health department also issued the instruction that during the days of Ramadan, daily prayers, Friday prayers, Eid prayers, E’tikaf and Iftar programs should be held only at homes. All mosques will be closed during these days. Alhamdolillah, despite the closure of mosques, Allah the Almighty enabled us to propagate our message regarding worshiping in Ramadan according to the current situation across the country.
First, Region Zealand’s Radio P4 contacted the Nakskov Jamaat and requested for an interview. Therefore, on the instructions of Muhammad Zakaria Khan Sahib, Amir and Missionary in-charge Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Denmark, the local missionary of the Nakskov Jamaat gave the interview in which he explained that they would be performing prayers in this blessed month of Ramadan, while the mosques are closed in compliance with government’s orders. This interview was aired on 23 April 2020, in the News Bulletin.
DR 1, a Danish national television channel also contacted the Jamaat and came to the mosque and conducted an interview with the missionary of Nakskov Jamaat, which was aired on 23 April 2020.
It was stated in the interview that we have the guidance of the Holy Prophetsa that in certain circumstances, it is permissible to off er congregational prayers at home, so in the current situation when it is not possible for us to off er congregational prayers in mosques, we all worship in our own homes. This TV channel is watched all over the country.
TV2 News, another Danish national TV channel, requested to interview the Amir and Missionary in-charge of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Denmark. On this, Amir Sahib directed Imaduddin Sahib, Press Secretary, to give this interview. Therefore on 23 April 2020, the journalists of this TV channel along with the photographer came to the Nusrat Jahan mosque, from where the live interview was broadcast.
At the beginning of the interview, the journalist introduced the mosque and said that the Nusrat Jahan Mosque was built 53 years ago and it has never been closed since. But now the mosque is closed for all kinds of worship due to coronavirus. The five daily prayers, Friday prayers and Eid prayers, which were offered in this mosque will now be offered at homes.
After this introduction, the journalist asked how the Friday prayers will be performed, as Friday was approaching and Ramadan had also started. Imaduddin Sahib said that in the light of government’s instructions, all the members have been informed to perform Friday prayers and all other prayers at their homes during Ramadan.
In response to a question about social relations, he said that the real purpose of Ramadan is to perform acts of worship and establish a personal relationship with God Almighty. TV2 East, a television channel of Zealand Region, also recorded an interview with the missionary of Nakskov Jamaat, at the Baitul Hamd mosque, which was aired on 23 April 2020, in pictures of Baitul Hamd Mosque were prominently displayed.
It was informed in the interview that the mosque is closed for congregational prayers due to the coronavirus, so all the members of the Jamaat will perform prayers at their homes. The Ramadan calendar containing the times of Suhur, Iftar and prayers has been sent to all the members at their homes, so that they can perform their worship on time.
He also said that communication and teaching religious knowledge to the members of the Jamaat will continue through digital media during Ramadan. The interview was shown on TV for three to four minutes.
Following the interview, the pastor of Nakskov Church and some other Danish people sent congratulatory messages on the arrival of Ramadan.
On the morning of 23 April 2020, a journalist from TV2 East, interviewed the missionary of Nakskov Jamaat over the phone which was published on their website as an article on the same day.