Covid-19 pandemic casts long shadow as Ramadan starts

Muslim religious authorities around the world are advocating wide restrictions on gatherings, in or out of mosques, as a result of the [coronavirus] pandemic," said Dr HA Hellyer, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The mosques will remain virtually closed; the usual charity meal tables will be absent from the streets; and the frequent family socialising associated with Ramadan will be suspended.