THE Hunter's Muslim community has turned to video conferencing to mark Ramadan, a month-long religious observance of prayer, fasting and community that is traditionally the busiest time of the year for mosques.
Sultan Fatih Mosque Mayfield spokesperson Forugh Dorani said Ramadan was divided into three blocks of ten days.
"For the first 10 days, mosques are packed at least once a day and then people throughout the month increase their attendance at the mosque for the five daily prayers," Mr Dorani said. "You'd see there would be more people coming at noon, in the afternoon, but a significant number of people actually turn up every night after they break their fast for the night prayer, because we do some optional prayers as part of that and we also recite the entire Quran one section at a time... in about a two hour prayer session."
Some worshippers choose to visit the mosque to break their fast, or spend the entire night there in worship.
"There's immense reward in spending more time worshipping in the mosque, for us it's got a higher degree of reward than doing it at home by yourself as an individual," he said. "Being Ramadan we've got traditions and narrations that say every action is multiplied by up to 700 times during this month, so it's pretty significant."
However mosques are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, with no indication whether they will reopen for the May 23 celebration of the end of Ramadan, known as Eid, which can bring people from as far away as Port Macquarie to the Hunter.
"For most people who come to the mosque it's never happened in their lifetime, or their father's or their grandfather's lifetimes," Mr Dorani said.
Instead, the mosque is issuing its call to prayer on Facebook Live. Imam Mohamed Hamed is hosting two or three Zoom video conference sessions each day covering classes and religious activities, as well as Quran recitation, lectures and contemplation in place of the traditional nightly prayer.
"It's a good opportunity for us to connect with God and show our ability to still be in touch with God and our religion," Mr Dorani said. "Even if we can't physically attend, we can connect through technological means and still be socially and emotionally attached."
Newcastle Mosque at Wallsend is also hosting daily discussions on Zoom and a competition via Facebook, which involves posting a different question every night for its followers to answer.
Mr Dorani said the Sultan Fatih community traditionally gathers on weekends to break their fasts with communal Iftar meals for between 100 to 150 people. Instead, it has mobilised to offer international students and working visa holders affected by the downturn free takeaway or delivered meals four times a week.
Mr Dorani said Muslims weren't alone, with the Jewish community marking Passover and Christians celebrating Easter within the context of COVID-19.
"We've had a lot of calls and messages from every church group I've been in contact with, trying to uplift us and give us some sort of support."
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