During the two years that the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we have experienced various restrictions and even lockdowns that have limited all activities, including during Ramadan. How about abroad?
Two students, Genesia Wahyu Saputro from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, and Imran Aryan Kamil, are studying at the University of Tasmania, Australia.
"More or less the same thing, it is recommended not to go to the mosque, there is no tarawih in the mosque. Friday prayers are still there, but everyone is asked to wear a mask," said Genesia, who is undergoing her second year of fasting in Norway.
He said that a number of Ramadan traditions, such as breaking the fast together in mosques and Muslim communities, were abolished when the COVID-19 pandemic was critical. But now, continued Genesis, the situation is gradually recovering.
"Now that some of the restrictions have been lifted, some activities have started to be allowed again. The mosque has started having joint iftar activities, and every local iftar hour there is food provided at the mosque," he said.
Meanwhile, Imran, who currently lives in Tasmania, Australia, said the pandemic situation there was under control because Tasmania is an isolated island.
"Tasmania is an island in itself, isolated. So since the Corona cases started until December (2021) when the border was just opened, here there are almost 0 cases (COVID-19)," he said.
As for the various restrictions, it was only recently when Tasmania began to open its borders. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area.
"So (the beginning of the pandemic) there were no restrictions on going to the mosque to pray. Even wearing masks recently, at the beginning of the pandemic not yet. Now that the borders have been opened, Corona cases have increased slightly, mosques or majlis holding tarawih and prayers Fridays are still available, but all are required to wear masks," he explained.