Aurangabad, April 14:
Ramzan (or Ramadan in Arabic) is the holy month of the Islamic Calendar. It is the most awaited month amongst the Muslim brethren. Accordingly, the spell of joy prevailed amongst lakhs of revellers on the sighting of the crescent moon marking the commencement of the holy month on Tuesday, but there are few houses for whom the month-long celebration would be a low-key affair. Reason: This is the first Ramzan, which they would be celebrating with heavy hearts, without their beloved ones, who were along with them during the last Ramzan.
Hundreds of people die of myriad reasons and illness in the city. However, the second wave of Coronavirus in the city, since February, has refreshed the painful memories of these families, who had lost their patriarchs, family members or close relatives during the pandemic situation in the last year. Indeed, they will be celebrating the month with less enthusiasm compared to previous Ramzans, stressed a clergy on condition of anonymity.
" Our family is unable to resist the emotions. My mom got emotional after sighting the moon yesterday evening due to the absence of my father. He lived with us, observed fast (Roza) during the whole month, and celebrated Eid during the last Ramzan. He left us (at the age of 68) during the last pandemic situation in June due to Covid-19. Indeed, we will be observing the fast and celebrate Eid as it is Allah's diktat," said a 31-year-old civil engineer Javed Siddiqui (name changed), from the Katkat Gate area.
" Our extended families are also in the state of grief. We all are trying to move on, living with his memories and ideals set by him. My father's morning walkers friends still remember him for forcefully offering more 'sheer khurma' to them in affection during the last Ramzan Eid," stressed Siddiqui.
Muslims, during the one month, observes fast, perform special Taraweeh prayers, other than regular five-time prayers, read and recite the Holy Quran as much as they can, etc. Hence the missing of beloved ones in the whole process, who were with them during the last holy month, is very obvious.
" We are unable to fill the vacuum created by my father (age 67 years), who passed away in June due to Coronavirus infection. We are trying to move on, but it is no so easy. Our heart melts; when his memories are recalled, good habits are discussed, and on seeing their personal belongings. Every Ramzan, he used to first come and sit on his chair and call others while breaking the fast. It took months for my mother to accept the reality. She got silent in the evening yesterday. This holy month, we all will break the fast, but the chair will remain vacant, " says a 30-year-old IT professional, Wajid Hashim (name changed), from Jaswantpura (near Roshan Gate).
"Our whole family, extended families and close relatives are praying to the Almighty to protect lives, save humanity, and restore the situation to normalcy as it was a few years ago. So that no father, no brother, no son, no husband dies of this dread virus in future," pointed out Siddiqui and Hashim.