Sufis call off ‘hadras’ in Ramadan on COVID-19 concerns
Thursday 16/April/2020 - 07:45 PM
Sara Rashad
The coronavirus pandemic has prevented monotheists from practicing their rituals. In the same vein, the Sufis have also canceled their ‘hadras’, or religious circles held at mosques during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Earlier, the Ministry of Waqfs (Religious Endowments) shut down mosques across the country for religious gatherings.
The month of Ramadan is expected to begin on April 24.
Although sheikh Abdel Moneim Hashad, a follower of the Rifa`i order, said he would oblige to the instructions of the Waqfs Ministry, he voiced his sorrow that there would be no religious gatherings.
“It will be psychologically harmful to many people,” he told THE REFERENCE.
A ‘hadra’ is a gathering, in which the Sufi followers gather in circles, for chanting during the month of Ramadan
For his part, sheikh Alaa Abu El-Azayem, the head of the Azmiya order, voiced his sorrow over the present situation and the closing of mosques as well as the canceling of all preparations for the month of Ramadan.
“The safety measures must be well observed to protect the Azmiya followers from infection,” Abu El-Azayem told THE REFERENCE.
He pointed out that the Sufis understand the situation and realize how any gatherings would be dangerous.
The sheikh said he had called on the Azmiya followers to pray more and more so that God will put an end to the crisis soon.
