As we carelessly walked our freedom
The wind in our hair
The colour in our cheeks
We didn’t stop to pause
To think.
We bought what we wanted
We went where we needed
We kept our hearts closed
Our minds and bellies full
Whilst our bodies and eyes strained
We continued.
Silently, without a word
Covid-19 breathed into the exhausted air
It travelled at lightning speed
And embraced the vulnerable and weak
The world trembled and collapsed
Onto its knees, humbled.
It couldn’t breathe.
The month of Mercy, Ramadan
Knocked on our locked doors
Whilst we hid behind masks
Gloves and anti-bac galore
Washing and wiping
Away our sins.
We stopped eating and drinking
We started to slow down
And finally awoke
To clearly reflect and ponder
On nature’s wonders
Away from capitalist slumber.
We were shackled in luxury
We were in war in kindness
The threat of losing loved ones
Kept us imprisoned in our worship
No congregation to fall on
The inner struggle.
World War III.
We began to pause, think
We began to pray and beg
We took time to eat
And pleasure in drink
We took stock of family
And counted.
We zoomed in on loved ones
Screens became our saviour
Listening to every voice
Hearing things for the first time
In a long time
Seeing things.
We dreamt big of days we could just walk
Just talk to strangers and touch
Shake hands or hug
Reach out and not recoil
Take the tube or bus
One day a plane.
Eyes wide shut.
We crossed off numbers
We ate together with our children
We spent time to get to know them
We took pleasure from simple things
A bird, a leaf, a flower, a smile
We began to live.
We prayed together
We broke fast together
We talked together
And we played together
For a long time after
A long time.
Eid came too soon
The days flew by
Ramadan raced to say goodbye
Month of Mercy looked at the empty chairs
In some empty homes
And gave solace.
Eyes wide open.
The quiet streets and corners
The towns and cities stay poised
The shops and restaurants wait
The schools, hospitals and parks
The children, the people
All count down.
Ramadan left a huge hole
In every heart that prayed
In every soul that awoke at night
Reading, kneeling, begging
In the presence of angels and God
All alone.
Eid brought short-lived excitement
Presents, light and hope
Festival of breaking fast
Buzzing with children’s joy
Eclipsing the craziness that Corona was
Momentarily forgotten.
Before it all begins again.
By Nafisa Rahimi
Co-Founder of Muslim Mamas, Founder of Super Smart Learners and an award-winning podcast – Not Another Mum Pod. Nafisa graduated from the University of Birmingham in Applied Theological Studies and completed her PGCE in RE and English from the School of Education in Birmingham. She is a self-confessed workaholic living in London with her four children and husband. Nafisa enjoys writing, eating out, travelling and hanging out with the sitcom ‘Friends’.
Museum of London Project Series
The Covid-19 pandemic 2020 was having a huge impact on many aspects of the daily lives of Londoners. The Museum of London thought it was important to record these experiences in order to share and learn from them in the future. One aspect they wanted to capture is the experience of families observing Ramadan during that time. They were interested in how this experience differed to the experience of families in previous years, and how families were adapting to observe Ramadan.
All four audio diary entries and the interview with Saami reflecting on lockdown Ramadan 2020 are now part of the Museum of London’s permanent collection, forming a part of British history! What an honour this has been!
Saami and I (and our family) cannot express how touched we have been by this whole experience. We hope you enjoy listening to these and do share with your friends and families.
To listen to this podcast, visit: https://notanothermumpod.com/pod-gems/
