Dutch PM Calls on Muslims to Stay Home in Ramadan

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called on the country’s Muslims to make sure that they observe social distancing measures during the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, which commences on April 24 or 25, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting.

Each day of fasting that starts at dawn ends with an iftar meal, shortly after sunset.

“I ask all Muslims of the Netherlands to spend this moment at home with the family,” Rutte said at a press conference on Friday, encouraging iftar to be taken at home and for religious congregations to be halted amid the coronavirus outbreak, nltimes.nl reported.

He said that while he understands that mosques and other community organizations are busy during this period, he asks for cooperation. “We must do this together,” he added.