Month of Ramadan retuns after 11 months, when Muslims across Bangladesh will begin the month-long fasting from dawn till dusk every day, in addition to practising some of Islam’s most valuable learnings such as patience, prayer, discipline, and restraint in addition to compassion, charity, and community.

Sadly, once again, just as last year, we have found ourselves in the midst of a very different Ramadan. Covid-19 continues to ravage us, only this time, it is the worst it has ever been in the country since detection in March of last year.

To that end, as no month is more important for us to reflect upon ourselves, to look within, to assess our habits and intentions, so as to become better versions of ourselves, this Ramadan, we must exercise good sense, for it is a vital component of Islam, and in the current climate, a matter of life and death.

Therefore, despite being traditional Ramadan activities in Bangladesh that many look forward to, gatherings for iftar or Taraweeh prayers are simply not an option under the current circumstances.

With daily cases and deaths on the rise, and the government having already ordered a hard lockdown starting today, it is also the responsibility of the citizens, each and every one of us, to follow the government directives to the best of our abilities and show discipline and restraint -- just as we are supposed to during the month of Ramadan.

At this juncture, we hope that Ramadan will help us find peace within, and the strength to persevere through these very difficult times. Ramadan Mubarak to all our readers.