Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols a

Asia

Indonesians bring their own rugs to pray at mosques in Ramadan

Hundreds visit Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Indonesia’s western Aceh province for Ramadan evening prayers

AP

April 29, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of people join the Ramadan evening prayers at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the capital of Indonesia’s far western Aceh province.

They wash their hands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus before they perform ablutions and begin their prayers. They come with masks, following a government appeal, but don’t always wear them. Some worshipers bring their own prayer rugs after the carpets at the mosque were rolled up in March.

One congregant, Umar, decided to join a mass prayer at the mosque and wore a mask to make sure he did the right thing as suggested by the government. “I feel not complete if I do the prayer not at the mosque,” Umar said.

The scene stands in sharp contrast to past Ramadans. The mosque in Banda Aceh can accommodate thousands, and people flooded outside the mosque building in past years. This year, not more than 400 worshipers have participated at the evening prayer. They were not packed together, but were not social distancing either.

Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. Saudi Authorities allowed for limit number of worshipers to enter the Grand mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP
Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. Saudi Authorities allowed for limit number of worshipers to enter the Grand mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP
Sheikh Junayd Ahmad leads livestreamed Taraweeh evening prayers, normally bringing a crowd of over a thousand, at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound on the first day of Ramadan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Redmond, Washington, U.S. REUTERS
Sheikh Junayd Ahmad leads livestreamed Taraweeh evening prayers, normally bringing a crowd of over a thousand, at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound on the first day of Ramadan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Redmond, Washington, U.S. REUTERS
Imam Abdelghani Benyahya arrives to perform the afternoon call to prayer alone during the holiday of Ramadan at the Muslim Center of New York during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S. REUTERS
Imam Abdelghani Benyahya arrives to perform the afternoon call to prayer alone during the holiday of Ramadan at the Muslim Center of New York during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S. REUTERS
A Palestinian family wearing protective masks walks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in an empty alley in the Old City of Jerusalem amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
A Palestinian family wearing protective masks walks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in an empty alley in the Old City of Jerusalem amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Sudanese men wait to break their daytime fast during the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan, amid a curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a street in the capital of Khartoum, Sudan. AP
Sudanese men wait to break their daytime fast during the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan, amid a curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a street in the capital of Khartoum, Sudan. AP
Volunteers of the French Islamic Relief prepare hundreds of meals to offer and distribute to Muslim poor people during the month of Ramadan, in Orly, south of Paris. AFP
Volunteers of the French Islamic Relief prepare hundreds of meals to offer and distribute to Muslim poor people during the month of Ramadan, in Orly, south of Paris. AFP
A woman sells dates outside a mosque in Williamsville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the holy month of Muslim Ramadan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying at night and abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the revelation of the first verse of the Qur'an is believed to have taken place during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman sells dates outside a mosque in Williamsville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the holy month of Muslim Ramadan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying at night and abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the revelation of the first verse of the Qur'an is believed to have taken place during its last 10 nights. EPA
Palestinians gather to get soup offered for free during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
Palestinians gather to get soup offered for free during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus carries her purchases as she leaves a store which sells dates, a favorite fruit for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in southern Tehran, Iran. In Iran, the country that is hit worst in the Middle East by the coronavirus, all religious gathering, congregational prayers and communal Iftar servings, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast, remain forbidden in the Ramadan and also holy shrines and religious centers also continue to be closed until at least May 4. AP
A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus carries her purchases as she leaves a store which sells dates, a favorite fruit for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in southern Tehran, Iran. In Iran, the country that is hit worst in the Middle East by the coronavirus, all religious gathering, congregational prayers and communal Iftar servings, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast, remain forbidden in the Ramadan and also holy shrines and religious centers also continue to be closed until at least May 4. AP
A volunteer distributing water, food and juice, signals to fasting drivers on a road in Egypt's Menofia governorate, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AFP
A volunteer distributing water, food and juice, signals to fasting drivers on a road in Egypt's Menofia governorate, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AFP
In this aerial photo from a drone, the illuminated roads and square around Istanbul's famous Galata Tower are seen empty on the final day of a four-day lockdown across Istanbul, in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkeys Mosques remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar under lockdown. As of April 26, according to the Health Ministry, Turkey has 2,805 Coronavirus related deaths and confirmed cases have risen to 110,130. Despite the rising numbers Turkey has avoided a full lockdown and continues to implement short lockdowns and constant revisions of current restrictions. The interior ministry continues restrictions on travel between 31 cities, a curfew continues to be in place for anyone over the age of 65 and under 20, schools, cafes, bars and non-essential businesses remain closed. Getty
In this aerial photo from a drone, the illuminated roads and square around Istanbul's famous Galata Tower are seen empty on the final day of a four-day lockdown across Istanbul, in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkeys Mosques remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar under lockdown. As of April 26, according to the Health Ministry, Turkey has 2,805 Coronavirus related deaths and confirmed cases have risen to 110,130. Despite the rising numbers Turkey has avoided a full lockdown and continues to implement short lockdowns and constant revisions of current restrictions. The interior ministry continues restrictions on travel between 31 cities, a curfew continues to be in place for anyone over the age of 65 and under 20, schools, cafes, bars and non-essential businesses remain closed. Getty
A mother carries her baby with face shield at a hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
A mother carries her baby with face shield at a hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
People line up to receive free food as the time to break the fast approaches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 disease pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
People line up to receive free food as the time to break the fast approaches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 disease pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman prays at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, amid a lockdown due the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the ni?ght time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic? calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights EPA
A woman prays at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, amid a lockdown due the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the ni?ght time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic? calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights EPA
A Kashmiri Muslim man prays on a hill on the third day of fasting month of Ramadan on outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The religious authorities in Kashmir have urged people to pray the congregational Taravih (extended night prayers) and mandatory daily prayers at home to stop the spread of coronavirus in the region. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. EPA
A Kashmiri Muslim man prays on a hill on the third day of fasting month of Ramadan on outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The religious authorities in Kashmir have urged people to pray the congregational Taravih (extended night prayers) and mandatory daily prayers at home to stop the spread of coronavirus in the region. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. EPA
A street vendor wears her face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus as she sells food for iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
A street vendor wears her face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus as she sells food for iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
An Algerian shopkeeper with a face mask sells pastry before Iftar time in an Arabic market in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa, adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
An Algerian shopkeeper with a face mask sells pastry before Iftar time in an Arabic market in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa, adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
A Sri Lankan Muslim Moulavi prays at the almost deserted Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan during an island-wide curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombo , Sri Lanka. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A Sri Lankan Muslim Moulavi prays at the almost deserted Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan during an island-wide curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombo , Sri Lanka. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
I man holding bread walks past a store mural, in Downtown Amman. Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the COVID-19 Coronavirus curfew, they are allowed outside their homes only between 08 AM and 06 PM. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
I man holding bread walks past a store mural, in Downtown Amman. Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the COVID-19 Coronavirus curfew, they are allowed outside their homes only between 08 AM and 06 PM. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
People shop at a food market on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat. AFP
People shop at a food market on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat. AFP
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
A Muslim family pray inside their restaurant during the holy month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Selayang, Malaysia . REUTERS
A Muslim family pray inside their restaurant during the holy month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Selayang, Malaysia . REUTERS

Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry has issued guidance for people to worship from home, alongside government recommendations for working and learning from home. The Indonesia Ulema Council also previously issued a fatwa advising against congregational prayers in areas where Covid-19 had spread uncontrollably.

Indonesia’s coronavirus outbreak has been most intense in and around the densely populated capital, Jakarta. It has recorded 4,002 cases with 370 deaths from the total 9,511 cases and 773 deaths across the country. The central government reported nine Covid-19 cases in Aceh with no deaths as of Tuesday.

Aceh is the only province in the world’s most populous Muslim nation that practices Shariah law. The region’s autonomy was a concession the central government made in 2001 as part of efforts to end a decades-long war for independence.

The Aceh Ulema Council has allowed daily mass prayers as long as they follow previously announced health protocols, such as wearing masks and bringing their own prayer rugs. Some preachers are shortening sermons so worshipers won’t stay long in a crowd, and some Aceh mosques are not allowing mass prayers, following the central government’s guidance.

The Aceh council’s deputy chairman Faisal Ali said the council only allowed congregational prayers in certain areas. “For people who live in areas where the epidemic of Covid-19 is still under control, they can do the prayers that are held at mosques by limiting the duration,” Ali said.

The biog

Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

On Women's Day
Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
Combating coronavirus
On Women's Day
While you're here
HWJN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Yasir%20Alyasiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Baraa%20Alem%2C%20Nour%20Alkhadra%2C%20Alanoud%20Saud%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
Results:

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi

6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle

Results

United States beat UAE by three wickets

United States beat Scotland by 35 runs

UAE v Scotland – no result

United States beat UAE by 98 runs

Scotland beat United States by four wickets

Fixtures

Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland

Admission is free

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

What is blockchain?

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.

The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.

Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.

However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.

Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.

ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

Tour de France

When: July 7-29

UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland

On Women's Day
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

SRI LANKA SQUAD

Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Southeast AsiaIndonesia