American Muslims grapple with Ramzan rituals amid pandemic

While the coronavirus continues to ravage the world, Muslims in the United States are marking a subdued Ramzan as as they are grappling to fulfill all their rituals .

Let's take a look:

With COVID-19 spreading across the United States and the world, the Islamic holy month marked by communal prayer and large gatherings of friends and family, will take on a more sombre note.

This year will be a Ramadan like no other for the 1.8 billion Muslims globally, of about which 3.45 million live in the US.

For many, there will be no nightly prayers at the mosque, no breaking fasts in the evening at the homes of friends and family and no large congregational prayers to celebrate Eid and mark the end of the month.

Since, coronavirus pandemic has robbed millions of Muslims across the US from congregating for prayers, iftar and other Ramadan customs, they are taking the virtual route.

Mosques will remain closed in many states despite Trump's decision to slowly 'reopen' the state amid coronavirus pandemic.

Grocery shopping has also proved challenging because of the coronavirus outbreak. People need to go to local Arab markets two weeks to get ingredients for Ramadan meals, like lentils and dates because not all grocery delivery apps are still in service.

The Islamic Center at New York University, one of the most popular meet-up spots for prayer and daily iftars, serves about 10,000 Muslims across the city.

Imam Khalid Latif, the center's chaplain, believes that loneliness has definitely taken a toll on majority of the Muslims in the country especially those who can't go back to their families, but are living alone there.