Hard to believe that this happened a year ago ... The one-day UWTSD online conference on 'Islamic Responses to COVID-19: Authority and Religiosity in #Muslim Communities and Digital Worlds'. There were 120 participants across time-zones. The papers address many significant (and still 'live') issues. And if you missed it first time around, then ...
Social distancing has eased in Mecca, as represented in the photographs below, where the distancing stickers have been removed from the precincts. This gives the impression of normalising the pilgrimage situation for umrah and hajj. No doubt the authorities will continue to follow this closely. It's interesting to see how social media is being ...
Asharq al-Awsat, Hajj, Umrah Ministry Exempts Immunized with Approved Vaccines from Quarantine
"As for whether new restrictions would be put in place to face the Omicron variant, the Ministry affirmed that measures ...
The National, Social media users 'risking jail' with comments mocking UAE Covid-19 rules
"Federal prosecutors have warned they will penalise people who ridicule efforts to tackle the pandemic, with ...
Euro-Islam,The consequences of COVID-19 on Muslim burials
"During the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation of Muslim burials has been further aggravated for three main reasons. First, the repatriation of corpses has been interrupted due to the ...
Pandemic reflections from Haramain Sharifain, via Twitter, showing the reintroduction of the physical distancing protocols. This is a useful channel to keep updated on activities and responses to COVID-19 in Mecca and Medina.
With the re-application of precautionary measures ...
"Some people have been posting "vaxxies" — post-vaccination selfies — to social media to encourage others ...
Arab News, Digital infrastructure enabled Saudi Arabia to confront pandemic
"“Guided by the national transformation program, the Kingdom’s technological progress has contributed to raising the level of transparency and digital efficiency,” said Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative ...
Al Jazeera, Indonesia quells COVID, but is a new wave on the way?
"Daily cases and deaths have dropped sharply in Jakarta and Java, but experts say limited testing and contact tracing have allowed the virus to surge elsewhere in the archipelago."
Issues of data transparency are significant here.
AL-Monitor, Iraq under pressure to open borders for Shiite pilgrims despite pandemic
"Iraq is also witnessing a new wave of the pandemic, and the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to rise significantly — especially ...
Reuters, Threats of cellphone blocks, work bans boost Pakistan's vaccination rate
"Tens of thousands of Pakistanis are thronging coronavirus vaccination centres daily after officials announced penalties ...
"The CCDH (Center for Countering Digital Hate) report found that 12 online personalities, dubbed the “disinformation dozen,” have a combined 59 million followers across multiple social media platforms, with Facebook having the largest number of followers."
ABC, Indonesian Muslims mark grim Eid amid devastating virus wave
"Muslims across Indonesia are marking a grim Eid al-Adha festival for a second year as the country struggles to cope with a devastating new wave of coronavirus ...
Jakarta Post, Indonesia's COVID-19 situation nears 'catastrophe': Red Cross
"Indonesia has reported record daily COVID-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fueled by the ...
Ayatollah Khameini received the COVIran Barekat jab.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei receives local COVID vaccine https://t.co/r2yCcAiinl via @AJEnglish
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) ...
Reuters, Indonesia jails cleric for four years over spread of false COVID-19 information
"An Indonesian court jailed hardline Islamic cleric Rizieq Shihab on Thursday for four years for spreading false ...
Saudi Gazette, Uber to offer free rides to people seeking COVID-19 vaccination in the UAE
"Uber, the US-based ride-sharing company, announced on Wednesday that it is offering free rides to people looking to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as part of its support ...
France 24, No masks, no distancing: Egyptians celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid Covid-19 surge
"As Muslims around the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, ...
"This research studies du’a (wirid, zikr and ...
SCMP, Indonesia risks India-style Covid-19 surge as millions skirt Eid ul-Fitr travel ban
"Travel bans in Indonesia and Malaysia aimed at stemming the traditional exodus ahead of the Eid ul-Fitr religious festival ...
I thought this clip was particularly striking from the Mataaf:
The aerial sterilisation of the Mataaf using 20 special Biocare devices before and after each group of Umrah Pilgrims perform Tawaaf pic.twitter.com/FRx2rQzhCi
— Haramain Sharifain ...
BBC News, Coronavirus: Why some mosques are closed to women during Ramadan
"Women like Alma aren't just missing Taraweeh prayers, an optional prayer at night held only during Ramadan, many are unable to worship at all in their mosque, including Friday prayers." Digital dimensions ...
BBC News, Covid: Turkey prepares for its first full lockdown
"WhatsApp groups are now dominated by messages about how life will be in the coming days."
Frank Langfitt, NPR, How A U.K. Imam Countered Vaccine Hesitancy And Helped Thousands Get The 'Jab'
"Today, Sajan, 60, is fully vaccinated. Hundreds of thousands of U.K. citizens of South ...
Reuters, Senior Muslim cleric Qaradawi contracts COVID-19
"Senior Muslim cleric Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi, who is based in Qatar and is a spiritual leader for the Muslim Brotherhood, has contracted COVID-19, his official Twitter ...
Khaleej Times, Ramadan UAE: How to stay Covid safe during the holy month
"Ramadan is a time for reflection, fasting, devotion and also connecting with friends and family members for the faithful, but it could be dangerous especially ...
CNN, Vaccines sell out in Pakistan as the private market opens, raising concerns of inequality
"Pakistan is in a tight spot: Covid-19 cases are surging during a third wave, hospital beds are filling up, and the government vaccination ...
BBC News, Covid vaccine: Fasting during Ramadan 'should not stop Muslims getting jab'
"Islamic scholars and NHS leaders are urging Muslims not to let fasting over Ramadan stop them getting a Covid jab."
Reuters, 'How can we not be tense?' Turkey's coronavirus infections soar
"Turkey - which has the highest level of daily new COVID-19 cases in Europe and the Middle East - again tightened measures last week to contain the rapid spread after calls for action ...
Facebook, Celebrating the #MonthofGood
"As we begin another Ramadan in the midst of COVID-19, Muslims around the world are honoring classic traditions in new ways by gathering virtually and sharing celebrations online."
The National, Online shopping soars in UAE as pandemic transforms consumer attitudes
"The biggest gap between e-commerce and in-store transactions was recorded in November, with average online basket spends ...
Marking a year since the initial lockdown, here is a comparison of publicity published by the Council of Mosques (with Faith Associates) on COVID-19 issues:
#DayOfReflection - The first poster below ...
A vaccination programme has commenced in Newport, with tweets of activities coming out of the Jamia mosque Newport and Al Noor Project. It is very interesting to see the roles of social media within marking these campaigns at local level, recording the impact and also encouraging people to receive their vaccination. The roles of mosques in these ...
"With Ramadan less than a month away, some Muslim organizations in the United States have begun addressing a critical question: ...
Haramain Sharifain, Sheikh Sudais receives Covid vaccine jab
"The General President for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, received the Corona vaccine, in the presence of the CEO of ...
The National, Egypt opens vaccine registration for all citizens over 18
"Anyone over the age of 18 can now register for a Covid-19 jab, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population said on Wednesday."
Middle East Eye, Covid-19 and Ramadan: UAE issues strict social measures
"“For the health and safety of society, we advise all to avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, and avoid distributing and exchanging meals between ...
Aina Khan, Al Jazeera, British South Asians suffer heavy toll as coronavirus surges
"Ethnic minority communities in the UK, hard-hit by the pandemic, have been forced to adapt how they say farewell." Important article ...
AP/The National, Tunisian doctor plays violin for isolated patients to boost morale
"Walking through the corridors with his violin, Dr Siala’s music helps not just the patients but also health workers. They have been ...
This video was created as part of the push to encourage people to take the vaccination. Let's hope this important initiative has an impact. It was led by the actor/writer/TV host Adil Ray.
Thank you to everyone for your support for the film. We would love to hear from you if this ...
Honley Village Community Trust/Suffah Foundation (video),
Interesting to see this from Huddersfield:
"Head Imam of Jamia Masjid Ghausia and Chairman of Suffah Foundation, the honourable Shaykh Umar Hayat Qadri talks about the safety of the #covid19vaccine in collaboration with the #nhs ...
SCMP, 'Doctors in Turkey battle suspicions over Covid-19 vaccines in remote communities'
I've been advised by Abdullah Ciftci on Twitter that this is in Bahçesaray in Van Province.
Bloomberg, Indonesia to Punish Those Who Refuse to Take Covid-19 Vaccine
"The government can punish those who refuse the vaccine by stopping or delaying social assistance programs and administrative ...
It's been interesting to see how mosques and religious organisations have been promoting vaccination programmes in communities through the use of social media (their own and external media). Often they are showing imams and others having their jabs, which can help reinforce the message. I have been writing about this for future publication. Here ...
“I took the vaccine. I’m saving lives. Are you” 💉
Vaccine uptake is essential in the battle against #COVID19.
Important message from Mufti Mohammed Zubaria Butt & @Council4Mosques. ...
Express & Star, Walsall mosque turned into vaccine centre to increase BAME jab uptake
"A Walsall mosque was transformed into a one-day Covid-19 vaccination centre aimed at encouraging ...
"To some it’s an issue of protest, while for some ...
Here's some important advice on the vaccination situation in the UK from Qari Asim. It's significant how social media is being utilised to promote these messages - and one hopes they get through to vulnerable audiences.
Important advice on the vaccine from @QariAsim ...
"The slight but strong truck driver stayed with each ...
In Chapeltown, Leeds, medical advice is being presented across networks and communities to encourage take-up of the jab:
‘Being part of the Chapeltown COVID-19 vaccine effort is humbling and exciting.’
Dr Mo Sattar, @BeingMo, ...
Tamara Kneese, Slate, Future Tense, How a Dead Professor Is Teaching a University Art History Class
"The fact that the dead can literally replace living faculty members is a perfect ...
BBC News, Reality Check, Covid-19: Why are Palestinians not getting vaccines?
"Israel has the highest rate of Covid-19 vaccination per person in the world while the Palestinian territories have barely started to roll out vaccines."
The impact of the lockdown on religious practices is a significant area for investigation by religious studies academics too, although it's difficult to be dispassionate and 'neutral' when so much is going on. I've been writing recently a about COVID-19 and Islam for a forthcoming volume, and also lecturing on related subjects for various modules ...
"Leeds-based Imam ...
A significant thread on Covid-19 and its impact.
This is a significant thread. I’ll repost on my blog. https://t.co/735kgI2yy1
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) January ...
But still too many in their local community don’t believe that Covid is real or that the vaccine is safe for Muslims. So the imam got the vaccine pic.twitter.com/tRjIn6JK4s
— Michael Buchanan (@BBCMBuchanan) January ...
Further down the road from the previous post, here's East London Mosque's senior imam providing vaccine advice:
ELM UPDATE: Take the Vaccine, Save Lives
— ...
A message from our Senior Imam, Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud.
Date: Friday 22nd January 2021 pic.twitter.com/MMJwuC6Ue1
Arab News, UK mosque becomes COVID-19 vaccination center ,
"By partnering with the National Health Service (NHS) and local pharmacies, the Al-Abbas Islamic Centre in Birmingham has become the first mosque in the UK to provide its premises as part of the country’s vaccination drive."
BBC News, Covid: Fake news 'causing UK South Asians to reject jab'
"Some of the disinformation seen by the BBC on social media and on WhatsApp is religiously targeted. Messages falsely claim the vaccines contain animal produce - eating pork goes against the religious beliefs of Muslims, ...
Several posts have emerged showing imams receiving vaccinations, which is especially important in the context of 'fake news' regarding jabs that have been disseminated online. Also see info on the 18th Jan event explaining issues regarding the jab.
Head Imam of @bahutrustuk, ...
AP, Turkey approves China-based Sinovac vaccine’s emergency use
"The country’s health minister, Fahrettin Koca, and members of the country’s scientific advisory council received the first shots live on television, ...
Middle East Eye, Covid-19: Scholars say having vaccine is religious duty for Egyptians
"Dar al-Iftaa, the religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas (religious edicts), has said taking the vaccines is a religious duty for all people living ...
While the lockdown in Wales has eased slightly, in England it has intensified. Here, the MCB present responses/advice to Covid-19 in different languages.
The national lockdown in England impacts places of worship, including mosques, & how they are able to operate.
We've ...
