Every year before Ramadan begins, Muslims work to adjust their daily routine, preparing to fit in taraweeh prayers, performed every night throughout the holy month.
Usually, these special Ramadan prayers, which last more than an hour, are performed in congregation, but with mosques either closed or operating at limited capacity this year because of Covid-19, many Muslims will perform them at home.
Other Ramadan prayer rituals will also be curtailed this year, with many countries banning i’tikaf – in which worshippers seclude themselves in the mosque for the last 10 days of the holy month.
With more than a billion Muslims planning to observe the holy month around the world, governments are establishing rules and procedures to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here is a country-by-country guide to the regulations around prayers across the Mena region, where mosques are open, and which are operating at full or part-capacity.
Al Aqsa
Because of the sensitivities attached to Al Aqsa mosque compound, which is in occupied East Jerusalem, Ramadan plans are subject to discussions involving Israeli authorities and the Waqf authority, which administers the site.
On March 31, the Waqf called on Muslims to get vaccinated against coronavirus before Ramadan. It also urged worshippers to abide by rules, such as wearing face masks and maintaining distance between one another during prayers.
Israeli authorities usually ease border restrictions during Ramadan to allow a greater number of Palestinians to visit Al Aqsa from the West Bank.
Cogat, the Israeli military wing responsible for civilian affairs in the West Bank, is yet to announce measures for the holy month.
Algeria
Mosques will be open for the five daily prayers as well as Friday prayers and taraweeh prayers, provided they do not exceed 30 minutes, according to a statement by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments.
The current curfew imposed on nine of the country’s 58 provinces will continue between 11pm and 4am during Ramadan.
Bahrain
Those who had their second covid-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago and those who have recovered from the virus will be allowed to visit their local mosque for Friday and taraweeh prayers.
They must show a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery on the Be Aware app.
Sermons are limited to 10 minutes, and mosques are allowed to open for 45 minutes before the service and 20 minutes after.
Egypt
Unlike last year, Egypt's Muslims can pray at mosques this Ramadan, including taraweeh, provided precautionary measures such as social distancing and wearing face masks are observed. Mosques will be open only 10 minutes before each prayer and close immediately after.
Muslims will not be allowed practice i’tikaf, in which they stay at the mosque for several days.
Washrooms at mosques, where ritual cleansing before prayers is performed, will be closed during the holy month, according to the Ministry of Awqaf, or religious endowments. Worshippers should also bring their own prayer rugs, it said.
Iraq
The country's director of public health, Riyad Abdul Amir, said the health ministry has no "intention to take new measures during the blessed month of Ramadan", and will allow the five daily prayers, including taraweeh, to continue in mosques.
Israel
In late March, the Israeli health ministry said prayers during Ramadan can take place in mosques with up to 20 worshippers inside, 50 outside, or a maximum of 50 people if a mosque includes both.
Jordan
Mosques will remain open during Ramadan this year as long as social distancing rules are observed
The exception is on Fridays, when an all-day curfew will be in place, meaning Friday prayers will not be conducted communally.
Worshippers will be allowed to leave their homes on foot for half an hour to attend sunset and dawn prayers. Isha and taraweeh prayers will not be allowed in mosques.
The rules will remain in place for the duration of the holy month, with no changes expected during the last 10 days.
Kuwait
The partial curfew continues during Ramadan, between 7pm and 5am,.
According to a statement by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Issa Al Kandari, people are allowed to walk to the nearest mosque to attend taraweeh and qiyam al layl prayers. Women's prayer halls will be closed, in an effort to control the spread of the virus by keeping children, who usually accompany their mothers to night prayers, at home.
Lebanon
Mosques will be allowed to open for prayers but only at 30 per cent capacity.
Libya
The government has yet to confirm whether mosques will be open for prayers and whether or not taraweeh will be allowed at mosques.
Morocco
On Wednesday, the Moroccan government announced a night curfew from 8pm to 6am, indicating that citizens will have to perform taraweeh payers at home during Ramadan 2021. The government has yet to confirm whether or not taraweeh will be allowed at mosques.
Oman
Mosques will be open each day until the maghreb prayers at sunset, but the big Friday prayers will not be allowed in mosques.
This year, there will be no taraweeh prayers and mosques will not hold iftar meals.
Qatar
Qatar announced the reimposition of strict lockdown measures on April 7, banning most indoor activities except retail and work in an effort to contain surging coronavirus case numbers.
Mosques will be open at set times for the five daily prayers, but authorities have ordered that Ramadan's additional prayers be conducted at home.
Saudi Arabia
Mosques across the kingdom that follow Covid-19 safety procedures and health protocols will be allowed to remain open over the holy month, Saudi authorities said.
Worshippers are asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks, but people will not be able to perform i’tikaf.
Friday sermons have been cut down to 10 minutes and worshippers must bring their own prayer mat and Quran, remaining physically distant from others.
Taraweeh prayers have been shortened from 20 rakaat (salutations) to 10, limiting the Ramadan prayers to 30 minutes, in addition to maintaining restrictions on the number of worshippers in the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
The mataf (area for circumambulation around the Kaaba) will be reserved for Umrah pilgrims only and there will be five designated areas inside the Grand Mosque and its eastern courtyard for the performance of prayers.
Only those with a valid permit for performing Umrah or prayer at the Grand Mosque will be allowed to enter Makkah.
According to the new Ramadan plan set by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to enter the historic mosque or its courtyards during Ramadan.
Sudan
The government has yet to confirm whether mosques will be open for prayers and whether or not taraweeh will be allowed at mosques.
The West Bank
Mosques will be open for daily prayer, though Friday prayers will be held outdoors. A general lockdown will be imposed on Fridays, when only bakeries and pharmacies will be allowed to open.
Tunisia
Mosques are open, with no limit on capacity for worshippers, although there is a 7pm to 5am curfew in effect.
Turkey
The president of Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Erbaş said taraweeh prayers will be performed "in homes rather than in mosques” because of the pandemic.
Full weekend lockdowns will be imposed during Ramadan in cities with the highest coronavirus rates and a curfew implemented between 9pm and 5am across the country will continue.
UAE
Mosques will be open during the holy month but must be sanitised before and after prayers.
Taraweeh prayers will be conducted under the safety measures already announced, including capacity limits and mandatory wearing of masks.
The duration of isha and taraweeh prayers in mosques is capped at 30 minutes. Isha prayers will be held five minutes after the call to prayer.
Worshippers must also take their own prayer mats and copies of the Quran, and follow social-distancing protocols.
Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department said that mosques will be open from the time of azan, the call to prayer, until the end of obligatory prayer and will close immediately after that.
The department asked mosques to enforce strict safety measures.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
One in four Americans don't plan to retire
Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.
Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.
According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.
According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.
For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.
"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."
When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared.
"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.
She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20card%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERobert%20Whittaker%20defeated%20Ikram%20Aliskerov%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAlexander%20Volkov%20def%20Sergei%20Pavlovich%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKelvin%20Gastelum%20def%20Daniel%20Rodriguez%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EShara%20Magomedov%20def%20Antonio%20Trocoli%20via%20knockout%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVolkan%20Oezdemir%20def%20Johnny%20Walker%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPreliminary%20Card%0D%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ENasrat%20Haqparast%20def%20Jared%20Gordon%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EFelipe%20Lima%20def%20Muhammad%20Naimov%20via%20submission%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERinat%20Fakhretdinov%20defeats%20Nicolas%20Dalby%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuin%20Gafurov%20def%20Kang%20Kyung-ho%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomed%20Gadzhiyasulov%20def%20Brendson%20Ribeiro%20via%20majority%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChang%20Ho%20Lee%20def%20Xiao%20Long%20via%20split%20decision%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on Quran memorisation:
Read more about the coronavirus
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 3
Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')
Chelsea 0
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
