Ramadan 2021 is from 13 April to 12 May this year, and we're just about 3 weeks away from it. Due to the lockdowns during the pandemic, most people spent Ramadan at home last year. If you've been missing activities at mosques in Singapore during Ramadan, we've got great news! MUIS has announced that Terawih prayers, Qiyamullail (night prayers), bubur (porridge) distribution and other activities will resume in Ramadan 2021 with safe management measures.
1. Breaking of fast at the mosque
There will still be no communal break fast sessions at the mosque but those who have booked a timeslot for Maghrib prayers will get dates and a bottle of water to break their fast. Due to the limited spaces at mosques, Muslims in Singapore are still encouraged to break fast at home and do ibadah with their families.
Credit: Islamic Religious Council of Singapore on Facebook
2. Terawih prayers
You can look forward to Terawih prayers at the mosque this Ramadan and you'll have to book prayer slots online, together with Isyak. Terawih prayers will be limited to 1 hour and are subject to safe management measures.
There will also be 3 booking windows for Ramadan corresponding to the first, second and last 10 days of Ramadan. You'll only be allowed 1 booking per window and bookings will open a few days before your slot. Do note that the number of prayer slots and zones will be different for each mosque and some mosques will also have dedicated spaces for female jemaah.
P.S. Can you take the Covid-19 vaccine while fasting? Find out in our article!
3. Qiyamullail (night prayers)
There will also be qiyamullail at selected mosques during the last 10 days of Ramadan, including dedicated spaces for female jemaah at some mosques. You'll have to book your slots online due to the limited spaces available. There will be 2 booking windows for qiyamullail and each person will only be allowed to book once per window.
However, sleepover at mosques won't be allowed and there won't be any sahur (pre-dawn meal) provided. More information on the timings and the mosques offering this service will be announced at a later date.
4. Bubur masjid distribution
If you've always looked forward to collecting bubur masjid (porridge) at mosques in Ramadan, you can do so this year. This will be after Asar prayers and it'll just be "pick and go".
Credit: Masagos Zulkifli on Facebook
5. Resumption of other mosque activities
Other activities that you can look forward to at the mosque in Ramadan 2021 are tadarrus (daily Quran reading), khatamul Quran and physical counters for Zakat payment (online payment is still encouraged). These communal activities will have a maximum number of congregants and limited to 1 hour. Find out more here.
While limited religious services will resume during Ramadan 2021, MUIS still encourages Muslims in Singapore to spend time with their families at home. Those who are heading to the mosques for activities, do remember to wear a mask at all times and observe safe distancing measures.