Drive-in prayers in Raleigh celebrate the end of Ramadan in the pandemic

Hundreds of cars filed into the North Carolina Fairgrounds on Sunday morning, some flying balloons from their windows and at least one with Eid Mubarak, or blessed Eid, written on the back window.

Triangle Muslims came singly and with their families to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.

In years past, the celebration had thousands of Muslims in the Triangle standing and sitting shoulder to shoulder. After praying, they exchanged hugs and handshakes with their well-wishes, and handed children candy.

The usual celebration would have brought people too close together in the age of COVID-19. The Islamic Association of Raleigh decided to adapt the customary communal prayer so Muslims could still celebrate together, but do so safely.

The times call for patience, gratitude and thankfulness, Imam Mohamed AbuTaleb said in his sermon.

“We would have loved to be 10,000 strong in the Graham Building right now,” he said. The Jim Graham Building is the largest at the Fairgrounds.

Last year, the holiday celebration brought more than 8,000 Muslims to the Fairgrounds for prayer, The News & Observer reported.

“We would have loved to be standing shoulder to shoulder,” AbuTaleb said Sunday.

“In fact, someone suggested that such a gathering would be legal and appropriate now, but our standards are higher than the minimum. Today we embrace our responsibility to all our community and to all of humanity.”

Two sessions with 300 cars each gathered at the Fairgrounds for prayer and a short sermon. The Islamic Association of Raleigh also live-streamed the prayers and sermons.

“To be out with my brothers and sisters at the end of the month of Ramadan is a blessing,” said Malik Sullivan of Raleigh from his vehicle. It’s too early for thousands to be standing close together, said Sullivan, 61. “The times are what they are. We’re still blessed to be together.”

The drive-in gathering took several weeks to plan, said Ali Zelmat, spokeswoman for the Islamic Association of Raleigh. The weeks were spend consulting scholars and other experts on what was allowable and what was safe, she said.

The Islamic Center of Raleigh closed early on, as the virus began to spread, she said, so Muslims have not been able to go to the mosque for evening prayer as they usually do during Ramadan. The drive-in prayer was to “try to create some of that sense of community,” she said.

During Ramadan, Muslims increase their volunteering, but that was another practice limited by the pandemic, Zelmat said.

On Sunday, volunteers walked among the rows of vehicles with signs telling people to stay in their cars.

Miya Arikat, 17, and Kenza Tekil, 15, both from Raleigh, said they volunteered as a way to contribute since their usual Ramadan activities were curtailed.

“Its just a way to feel festive,” said Arikat. “We were not able to go out and enjoy it the way we’re used to.”