Hawzah News Agency (Calgary - Canada) - As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Calgary Muslims are preparing for an entirely different experience due to the current pandemic affecting the entire globe.

The traditional large gatherings for nightly prayer in communal mosques will not be taking place due to pandemic-related rules that limit the number of people allowed to gather anywhere, while the usual breaking of the fast parties will also be curtailed at the end of this year’s celebration.

“This year, Ramadan will be very different — so different (that) we never had this type of Ramadan in our previous lives,” said Imam Syed Soharwardy, founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC).

Although a few places of worship will remain open in the city, the number of people allowed inside at any one time is being severely restricted and stringent rules regarding physical distancing and hygiene will be enforced.

Dr. Atthar Mahmood, vice president of ISCC and president of Muslims Against Terrorism, said Calgary police and health department officials have visited the city’s major location of Islamic worship, the Green Dome Mosque at 4616 – 80 Ave. NE, and have given the OK for very limited prayer services.

“Muslims are just like everyone else. Everyone is essentially locked up in their homes and avoiding interactions in the community. Our mosque has been open for prayers but only under strict conditions from Alberta Health regarding the number of people involved,” said Mahmood.

He added that although numbers are restricted provincially to allow only 15 people to gather (who must stay two metres part), the mosque has gone further by implementing its own stricter rules, demanding worshippers do not exceed a dozen in number at any one time and physical distancing be set at nine feet or 2.7 metres.

“People are wearing masks and gloves and are observing only the most mandatory of prayers, which last no more than five minutes, and then they must leave,” he said.