Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. Saudi Authorities allowed for limit number of worshipers to enter the Grand mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP

A woman sells dates outside a mosque in Williamsville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the holy month of Muslim Ramadan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying at night and abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the revelation of the first verse of the Qur'an is believed to have taken place during its last 10 nights. EPA

Palestinians gather to get soup offered for free during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA

A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus carries her purchases as she leaves a store which sells dates, a favorite fruit for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in southern Tehran, Iran. In Iran, the country that is hit worst in the Middle East by the coronavirus, all religious gathering, congregational prayers and communal Iftar servings, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast, remain forbidden in the Ramadan and also holy shrines and religious centers also continue to be closed until at least May 4. AP

In this aerial photo from a drone, the illuminated roads and square around Istanbul's famous Galata Tower are seen empty on the final day of a four-day lockdown across Istanbul, in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkeys Mosques remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar under lockdown. As of April 26, according to the Health Ministry, Turkey has 2,805 Coronavirus related deaths and confirmed cases have risen to 110,130. Despite the rising numbers Turkey has avoided a full lockdown and continues to implement short lockdowns and constant revisions of current restrictions. The interior ministry continues restrictions on travel between 31 cities, a curfew continues to be in place for anyone over the age of 65 and under 20, schools, cafes, bars and non-essential businesses remain closed. Getty

People line up to receive free food as the time to break the fast approaches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 disease pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA

A woman prays at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, amid a lockdown due the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the ni?ght time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic? calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights EPA

A Kashmiri Muslim man prays on a hill on the third day of fasting month of Ramadan on outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The religious authorities in Kashmir have urged people to pray the congregational Taravih (extended night prayers) and mandatory daily prayers at home to stop the spread of coronavirus in the region. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. EPA

An Algerian shopkeeper with a face mask sells pastry before Iftar time in an Arabic market in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa, adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA

A Sri Lankan Muslim Moulavi prays at the almost deserted Mosque during the Muslim holy month of RamadanÂ during an island-wide curfewÂ due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombo , Sri Lanka. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA

I man holding bread walks past a store mural, in Downtown Amman. Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the COVID-19 Coronavirus curfew, they are allowed outside their homes only between 08 AM and 06 PM. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA

Ramadan around the world in photos: April 28

Images of an Islamic holy month like no other because of the coronavirus outbreak

The National

April 28, 2020

English
Arabic

More Ramadan stories:

Shoppers don masks at supermarkets to stock up for holy month

My Ramadan: the dedicated doctor putting patients first in fight against Covid-19

When is the best time to exercise when fasting?

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association

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Four stars

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Join parent networks
Look beyond school fees
Keep an open mind

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