A Pause On Traditions

Covid-19 obstructs religious observances around the world

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clipart of a mosque at night time

With Covid-19 spreading quickly and affecting the world drastically, the upcoming weeks bring religious observances for people all around the world that won’t be celebrated the same in the past.

Easter is the holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, according to crosswalk.com. Easter was on April 12, 2020 this year. Prior to the arrival of Easter, many Christians observe the practice of lent, a 40-day celebration in which Christians must sacrifice something they enjoy to replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert, according to bbc.co.uk.

For sophomore Sarah Finnegan, Lent and Easter does not feel the same without her family’s yearly traditions.

“Covid-19 has affected my family and I’s easter traditions because usually we get to see all of our extended family and go to church mass, but this year we did an online Zoom call to still feel connected,” Finnegan said. “It was very hard to not be able to see my family but my immediate family and I made the best out of a hard time.”

Passover is the celebration for Jews to remember the Israelites fight for freedom and the awful experiences from slavery, according to marintheatre.org. During Passover, Jews are prohibited to consume any type of flour product. Passover starts April 8, 2020 and ends April 16, 2020.

Sophomore Leah Carlton and her family were prepared for Passover to be different this year with the closure of all synagogues prior to Passover this year.

“Passover this year felt different without my family,” Carlton said. “We usually have a big family seder (a ceremonial feast), but this year we did a family Zoom call to celebrate the beginning of Passover.”

For Muslims across the globe, Ramadan is significantly affected by Pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, not taking visitors due to the laws set in place for Covid-19. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims to visit atleast once in their lifetime. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims can not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset every day for a month. With the closure of mosques, many muslims are resulting in prayers conducted through apps like Zoom, WebEx and Facebook Live. Ramadan begins April 23, 2020 and ends on May 23, 2020.

Junior Jericho Badwan is staying positive during this hard time with the arrival of Ramadan just days away.

“Ramadan will be a little difficult this year because you won’t be able to leave your house to get your mind off being hungry until Iftar (dinner),” Badwan said. “It also will not feel the same because you can not celebrate each day with your extended family, but you have to stay positive during this hard time.”

More holidays could be affected if the spread of Covid-19 continues to spread. While there is no say on when the set quarantine laws will be ended, please stay home and social distance.