Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is also the month during which Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset. They refrain from eating and any pleasurable activities. It is the month that aims to purify the soul and bring the individual closer to Allah (SWT).
Taiwo Aina a young female photographer and visual artist based in Nigeria embarked upon this project tagged: “Ramadan in COVID ” to document how some Muslim youths coped socially with the health and safety restraint put up by the government and health officers in the state to reduce the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus.
She observed the change in the usual religious activities (community Muslim prayer, Tefsir teachings, Iftar, Jakar, and giving of alms, etc) that follows Ramadan, as all citizens were mandated to keep physical distance and avoid mass gathering. Fruits and shared food are vital parts of Ramadan.
Hammed is an accounting student of the Polytechnic Ibadan, he’s supposed to be in school but currently at home due to the government verdict which implies all students staying at home to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Malik is a high school student in Ibadan. “The coronavirus has prevented us from doing all joint necessary prayers in the mosque,” says Malik.
Zainab is a high school student in Ibadan. “We pray this coronavirus cure is gotten on time so that we will resume back to school,” says Zainab.
This project was done in Alase Community, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. You can see more her works on here
Taiwo Aina can be reached via Email: ainataiwo1999@gmail.com, Instagram: www.instagram.com/taiwoaina_and by Telephone: +234-(0)-9033534213