Ramadan is expected to start in the UK on April 13, the second time the holy month is being observed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, Muslims will be allowed to attend Covid-secure mosques, after being denied during the UK's first lockdown 12 months ago.
The holy month takes place as the UK continues Covid-19 vaccinations and Muslims are encouraged to receive the shot.
When will Ramadan begin in the UK?
Muslims in Britain began Ramadan on April 13, based on the sighting of the crescent new moon.
London Central Mosque wished everyone a peaceful Ramadan in a tweet.
When will Ramadan end?
Ramadan typically lasts 29 or 30 days, ending when the next new moon is sighted.
The final iftar should take place on the evening of May 12.
What Covid-19 restrictions are in place at mosques in the UK during Ramadan?
Mosques are open this year and can be attended by as many people as can be safely accommodated with social distancing.
Many mosques in the UK will be running shorter services for limited numbers of people.
To attend prayers, some people may need to register at certain mosques, including for the nightly taraweeh prayers.
Worshippers should also bring their own prayer mats and wear face masks.
Mosques are also encouraged to stream events live where possible to prevent large crowds from gathering.
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should remain at home.
What restrictions are in place for homes?
Gatherings of people from more than two households are not allowed to be held indoors at home over the month of Ramadan.
Two households or more are allowed to meet outdoors, including in private gardens, but are limited to groups of six.
Can I still receive a Covid-19 vaccine the UK during Ramadan?
Receiving a Covid-19 vaccine will not break the fast observed over Ramadan, Britain’s National Health Service and Muslim scholars said.
“Now is the time to put faith to the test, preserve life and trust the opinion of Islamic scholars and mosque committees who have confirmed the vaccination and lateral flow tests will not invalidate or break the Ramadan fast,” NHS director Dr Habib Naqvi said.
“We have lost too many mosque worshippers and with ethnic minority people already at increased risk of coronavirus.”
Dr Farzana Hussain, a Muslim and physician at The Project Surgery in East London, said receiving a vaccine did not break the fast because it was not nutrition.
“There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t have it if you are eligible and have been invited for your Covid-19 vaccine, and those scheduled for their second dose should take it,” Dr Hussain said.
“The Quran says saving your life is the most important thing: to save one life is to save the whole of humanity. It’s a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take their vaccine.”
What changes have been made to the UK’s vaccine programme?
Some vaccination sites will stay open later so Muslims can be inoculated after breaking their fast in the evening.
Vaccination centres at mosques will also be open throughout Ramadan.
Some mosques are also planning pop-up vaccination clinics to coincide with iftar.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi praised mosques for encouraging worshippers to receive the shot.
“It goes back to convenience, access and support. It’s a place that the community trusts,” Mr Zahawi said.
“And thinking it through, if people are coming for iftar to the mosque, what a great way to book them in afterwards to have their jab.”
How will rapid testing stop the spread of Covid-19 during Ramadan?
The NHS said Muslims should take advantage of a new programme that allows households access to rapid Covid-19 tests.
Anyone in England who does not have symptoms can now receive regular lateral flow tests to check for coronavirus.
Households can collect two packs of seven tests from local pharmacies and test sites or have them delivered through the post.
The tests take 30 minutes to show a result.
Dr Hina Shahid from the Muslim Doctors Association said the tests would help Muslims to detect coronavirus before they attend prayers.
“I strongly encourage Muslims who are able to take their vaccination and lateral flow tests during this holy month to do so and help protect themselves and their community,” Dr Shahid said.
"Any concerns about vaccination or rapid test results can be discussed with GPs and healthcare professionals. We are here to support patients to make informed decisions.”
Asian Cup 2019
Quarter-final
UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
HWJN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Brief scores:
Scotland 371-5, 50 overs (C MacLeod 140 no, K Coetzer 58, G Munsey 55)
England 365 all out, 48.5 overs (J Bairstow 105, A Hales 52; M Watt 3-55)
Result: Scotland won by six runs
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Results:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
