Faizel Patel – 14/04/2021

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the blessed month of Ramadan.

AFP reports Ahmed al-Mandhari, the Cairo-based chief of the WHO for the eastern Mediterranean as saying that detected cases of COVID infection in the region rose 22% last week, while deaths rose 17%.

Mandhari told an online news conference the situation in the vast region reflects a “worrying trend”.

“We are especially worried that the current situation may worsen during Ramadan if people don’t follow and adhere to the proven social measures that work.”

Mandhari says like last year, people may feel that the spirit of Ramadan has changed because of social distancing and lockdowns.

“But the actions that need to be maintained to help contain the pandemic are in line with the basic tenets of Islam: take care of your physical health and do no harm to others.”

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had consultations with faith communities to find mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges of managing large crowds at religious services especially during Ramadan.

Ramphosa last month said that religious gatherings will be restricted to a total number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors.