Despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic still brings uncertain situations for a lot of people, adaptation to these new circumstances is the best solution to manage and adapt to the current condition to keep moving forward, where now more than one third people in Florida have got fully vaccinated for coronavirus.
This week, all Muslims in the United States of America, including Muslim communities in Gainesville, happily celebrated Eid al Fitr, also called the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", on May 13 after completing fully 30 days of fasting beforehand. Indonesian community also did not miss to celebrate this special day commonly called “The Day of Victory” for Muslims.
“I am so happy this year we can pray Eid al-Fitr together in Gainesville were no such celebration last year here due to the pandemic,” said Hermudananto, a graduate student from Indonesia who joined in the Indonesian community in Gainesville called “PERMIAS University of Florida”, an organization that unites Indonesian college students in the United States.
The new location for praying this year, Legacy Park Recreation Complex, located in the city of Alachua with 105 acres and 40,000 square foot facility was chosen to accommodate more people with social distancing protocol. All Muslims who were praying here followed COVID precautions and guidelines such as wearing a mask and bringing their prayer rug/mat.
This opportunity for praying together during Eid al-Fitr benefits Muslims in Gainesville to stay in touch with each other, including worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace, and last but not least providing spiritual and psychological support to all people specifically during the pandemic.
It turned out that not only Muslims were happy that day. Christians at the same day this year also commemorate the Ascension of Jesus Christ, a traditionally celebrated the 40th day after Easter Sunday.
This special day for both communities, Muslims and Christians, shows mutual respect and tolerance among religions, not to mention the diversity among members of the Indonesian community in Gainesville.
The future hope is simple, we all want things to go back to normal quickly, therefore all COVID protocols and guidelines should be followed together to end the pandemic.