Muslims around the world, last Sunday, bid farewell to the fasting month of Ramadan, as they celebrated the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Being one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar, Eid al-Fitr is traditionally celebrated with mosque prayers, family feasts, and shopping for new clothes, gifts and sweet treats.
But, this year, the celebration was overshadowed by the Coronavirus pandemic, with many countries tightening lockdown restrictions. The festive spirit was dampened by the ban on mass gatherings due to the pandemic.
It was no different in Ghana, as the virtual Eid al-Fitr was held in the studios of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), led by the Chief Imam, Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, amidst measures taken to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.
In attendance were President Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minister of Inner Cities and Zongo Development Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, among others.
The event was made possible by GBC, and was broadcast on its16 regional FM stations, as well as social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Muslims around Ghana were to follow the Chief Imam’s prayers through the above-mentioned electronic and online media.
Indeed, this has now become the new norm. The COVID-19 pandemic has recalibrated our social, religious and working lives. As a result, our ways of work, schooling and socialising have moved into the online space and into the confines of our homes.
The Christian religion also had its fair share of the worldwide pandemic, as this year’s Easter celebration was totally dismantled by the restrictions and protocols of preventing the spread of the virus. Even Sunday worship services are being done online due to the restrictions.
This is not a normal period. This is the time to connect with people from a distance and not getting together with them. We need to really respect the restrictions that have been put in place.
The New Normal refers to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to imply that something which was previously abnormal has become commonplace.
We find ourselves in uncharted waters, and our political leaders must seek to respond to the realities of life caused by the Coronavirus. For how long can we keep the schools closed, and are we thinking of migrating from physical space education to virtual education?
For how long can we restrict social gatherings like funerals and weddings, especially in our closely knit type of socio-cultural setting?
The Chronicle believes that something must definitely give in at the end of it all. When the President gave his address during the Eid al-Fitr virtual prayers, we couldn’t fail to notice the clues and signs laden in his speech about lessening the restrictions in his next Covid-19 address to the nation.
The roadmap to exit the Coronavirus pandemic, and its attendant restrictions and protocols, must be apparent in the next address, as Ghanaians look forward to the new normal situation as something that has come to stay.
The post Editorial: The ‘new normal’ life under Covid-19 appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS