COVID-19 takes its toll on the Ramadan economy and sense of community

By Amir S. Mawallil

RAMADAN is mainly associated with fasting, but this holy month for the Islamic faith is also about sharing and community.

With public gatherings and congregational prayers in mosques suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, Muslims around the country are finding ways to observe the month-long fast within the confines of quarantine even as they work to adjust to a world changed by the crisis.

Trade fairs, brick and mortar stores, and restaurants in Muslim-populated cities and towns in the country were traditionally lively during the Ramadan as they remained open at night, along with markets for people who shop for iftar, or the meal for breaking their fast.

At night, after the evening Tarawih prayer in mosques, worshippers would usually stop by at cafes and restaurants to bond with friends and family before heading home.

This year, these social and economic activities are not happening.

Restaurants and many shops are closed. With social distancing, and people confined to their homes, the vibrant social part of Ramadan is muted by the very real need to stop the spread of the virus and stay alive.

Hasna Karim-Hamad, owner of the restaurant Hashy’s Cuisine in Cotabato City, said they had to forego their annual act of charity this year as the business switches to survival mode.

“Okay naman, but quite difficult because of the current situation. I used to be able to sponsor iftar at the mosques, but this time, it isn’t so and that makes me so sad,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.

“Last Ramadan I was able to feed for iftar like hundreds of people every day. We didn’t accept many take-out orders because we are focused on the free iftar at the mosques. We were able to perform our umrah hajj (pilgrimage). This time we cannot do this. No more free iftars at the mosques,” she narrated.

“Business at this time? Not good. The struggle is real,” she said.

Her restaurant has tapped social media to attract more customers as they compete with the rising number of online food sellers.

“We need to innovate, make new menus every day so people can look forward to what’s new in the menu. One of our struggles is competition in the online food business. There are many people selling food online, especially during Ramadan now, and people cannot go to the supermarkets to buy their needs,” she said.

“We also need to accept take-out orders, as many as we can because we have bills to settle, we have employees who depend on us especially in these trying times,” she added.

On the side of consumers, spending has been limited as people have temporarily lost their regular income and other sources of livelihood.

Overseas Filipino worker Gamson Tulawie Quijano, Jr., who came home in March for a break, has been on an extended vacation without pay due to the travel restrictions.

The 31-year-old Quijano said while he is able to spend more time with family and doing Tarawih together at home in Zamboanga, he has not been able to visit his hometown Sulu.

“I wasn’t able to return to Qatar due to COVID-19, and the extended lockdown of the National Capital Region up to May 15… my point of origin. Likewise, all incoming flights to and from my province have been suspended up to May 15. However, when these restrictions are lifted, and as soon as the domestic flights are open, I will return to work. In Sha Allah,” he said.

Official government data estimates that around 10 million Muslims live in the Philippines, with majority of them residing in Mindanao.

“This year’s Ramadan is both unique and heartbreaking,” said lawyer Alman N. Namla, an official of the Regional Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Namla said Muslims are adjusting to the new constraints by turning their homes into prayer houses instead of going to the mosques.

“We are so used to flocking the masjids (mosques) every night of Ramadan, as Muslims have done so for more than a thousand years. The masjid is part and parcel of worship in Islam, most specially in this holy month. But, as Muslims, we have to see the wisdom behind our trials and tribulations.”

Amir S. Mawalil, a former BusinessWorld correspondent, is now a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament.