Ramadhan & COVID19

How the Muslim month of fasting will differ this year.

HR DIRECTORATE
APRIL 2020

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What usually happens during Ramadhan?

▪ For Muslims around the world, Ramadhan is one of the most revered months of the year. It is believed that
during this 9th month of the Islamic calendar, God revealed the first verses of the Quran, the holy book, to the
Prophet Muhammad.

▪ Muslims in Brunei will fast everyday, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset as an act of worship.
Muslims believe that through fasting, they are able to strengthen their relationship with God, practise willpower
and empathise with the less fortunate.

▪ Practising Muslims will also try to reconnect with their faith through acts of worship, such as praying, reading
the Quran and charitable giving, as well as rekindling relationships with friends and family.

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How will Coronavirus affect my fast?
▪ Fasting during Ramadhan remains obligatory.
▪ Exemptions are made for children, women who are pregnant, menstruating, nursing and people who are ill or
travelling. Those experiencing Covid-19 symptoms may not have to fast, if they are not physically able.

Standard Practice Changes due to COVID-19

• Shorter working hours for Muslim colleagues. Be • Working hours remain short for Muslim colleagues
aware of time when arranging meetings (7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) whether working from
home or office. Colleagues in operations will follow
• To increase alertness:
the normal shift hours.
• Try rotating tasks with non-fasting colleagues
• If you are not fasting, consider switching tasks
• Adhere to social distancing guidelines in meetings.
so fasting colleagues perform lower risk
i.e toolbox talk and in office.
activities, ideally not in the sun.
• Show care for fasting colleagues if they seem
• Maintain the same care as during standard practice.
fatigued by asking if they are ok.
• Reduce driving. Fasting workers are at higher risk of • Follow MOH guidelines to stay safe while
accidents – initiate car pooling or join a commuter commuting, visiting markets etc
bus service.

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How will Ramadhan meal times differ?
▪ Iftar - literally translated as "breaking the fast" - is usually a communal affair for
Muslims in Brunei, with people gathering and sharing meals either at home,
restaurants or in mosques
Standard Practice
• Bruneians often frequent Ramadhan Bazaars where
vendors sell food and drinks for Iftar.
• During daytime, restaurants are open but only offer
take-away food. Dine-in is not allowed.
• Non-Muslims are requested not to eat, drink or
smoke publicly during the day.
• Offshore employees usually conduct iftar together in
mess halls
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Changes due to COVID-19
• Families will spend iftar within their own homes with
their immediate family members.
• Ramadhan Bazaars are not organised throughout
the country. Vendors will be turning to online
channels to sell their products.
• Offshore mess halls, to ensure social distancing
(1.5-2m) for colleagues who break the fast at the
same time.
• Employees residing in Company designated
accommodation (Offshore/Onshore) must strictly
adhere to the guidance by Ministry of Health (MoH)
on social distancing and gatherings including the
break of fast. CONFIDENTIAL April 2018 4
 How will prayers be affected during the pandemic?
▪ Every evening during Ramadhan, extended prayers, called tarawih will take place.
These communal acts of worship are held in the belief that there is greater reward
for prayers made in congregation.
Standard Practice Changes due to COVID-19
• Tarawih Prayers are conducted in Mosques • No congregation of prayers as mosques in Brunei are closed
and in Suraus offshore. since 24th March until further notice.
• Followed by recital of the Holy Quran in • The adhaan, or call to prayers still amplified from mosques five
groups. times a day. Families conduct prayers in their own homes.
• Muslims will pray the 5 daily prayers in • Prayer rooms are opened in all BSP facilities with restriction of 1
congregation in mosques. person at a time in the room - to bring own prayer mat or attire.
• Families would pray together at home or at the • Group recital of the Holy Quran will be offered through online
mosques. alternatives.
• Employees residing in Company designated • Employees residing in Company designated accommodation
accommodation (offshore/onshore) would (Offshore/Onshore) must strictly adhere to the guidance by
conduct Tarawih prayers together following by MoH on social distancing and gatherings including the break of
recital of the Holy Quran. fast.
• Organise religious talks by specially invited
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• Tarawih prayers may be broadcasted
CONFIDENTIAL
via Brunei TV and Radio.
April 2018 5
speakers.
What about charity efforts during the pandemic?

▪ Central to the month of Ramadhan are acts of charity and helping those who are less fortunate. Muslims believe this
is one of the keys to their faith and that there are increased blessings for acts of kindness during the month.

Standard Practice Changes due to COVID-19

• Fundraising events or Charity efforts are typically • With the restrictions of communal gatherings and
organised around communal events, such as social distancing, we will see less communal events
donations to the poor, Muslim cemetery cleaning organised and possible increase in online donations
etc. to charities.

• Anticipating Zakaat (Almsgiving) to be conducted

online, subjected to further announcement from the
Ministry of Religious Affairs.

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What about Eid and coronavirus?
▪ Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Eid is likely to be affected more than Ramadan. While basic
Ramadan traditions can be observed at home, including congregational prayers via streaming,
Eid is typically when Muslims go out to celebrate and visit family and friends.

Standard Practice Changes dues to COVID-19

• Eid prayers conducted on the first morning
• In Brunei, Eid is a national holiday, a time for food and
festivities.
• Families typically organise open houses and homes are
decorated.
• Visiting family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, the sick, the
elderly, etc.
• To attend his Majesty Open House in the Palace and greet
him personally (great period to have visitors then!)
• Open office gatherings organized in the office as well as
offshore locations
• With cinemas, restaurants and cafes closed during this
period, Eid celebrations would have to be confined to the
home. No mass gatherings allowed.
• Expect Eid in Brunei to be more muted and different this
year where maintaining social distancing while celebrating
Eid will be the need of the hour to keep Brunei safe.
• Palace will not be open to the public this year.
• Be mindful when celebrating Eid while at work or off work –
No handshaking, No Makan gatherings, Usage of Mess
halls and Prayers halls must adhere to social distancing
norms.
• Keep updated on current guideline (MOH /BSP)

Moon sightings are done at 3 key locations around Brunei

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To sum up…

▪ The practices in the Holy month of Ramadhan still remain the same but this year there is a massive change in

lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

▪ Be considerate and supportive of your Muslim colleagues as they observe the Holy Month and its’ practices.

▪ Depending on the development of COVID-19, social distancing norms and measures put in place by Ministry of

Health must be strictly adhered to during Ramadhan.

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