Assalamualaikum WBT and Salam Ramadhan dear readers.

This Ramadhan started out very sombre for my Husband's family. A few days before the Holy month started, my brother-in-law headed to Jerteh, Terengganu to get married. Unfortunately, he had to go alone and other family members were unable to be there due to the Movement Control Order. A day after his solemnisation, my mother-in-law was hospitalised due to Coronary Artery Disease. The night before her angioplasty, my father-in-law was also hospitalised due to similar problem. They were hospitalised in different hospitals according to their insurance. What was worse, as we are facing this pandemic, none of us were allowed to be there. Please make prayers for my family. May all of us be protected from illnesses and may He heal and cure us all.

Alhamdulillah, both of them have been discharged yesterday evening and the newlyweds made it home to Kuala Lumpur safely.

This Ramadhan is very sad for everyone around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most countries are under quarantine or have some kind of Movement Control Order in place. Mosques are closed, Umrah pilgrimages are canceled, even Eid prayers are to be done at home! Most people suspect that the MCO will be extended until after Eid which breaks the hearts of many people around the world as the 'New Normal' is for everyone to isolate themselves and not gather in big groups.

I am also saddened by this turn of events as I am unable to meet my family for Ramadhan or Eid which is a tradition for us since 1993. We are, however, lucky enough to have the technology to help us get through this pandemic a little less sad. Video calls make you feel like everyone's not so far, you know?

In times of difficulty, our only source of strength is our faith in the absolute power of God. We know that if we have His protection and guidance, we will be able to overcome all the challenges that surround us.

I think there's also a lot of positive aspects of the MCO. As most of us are on leave for the period, we are able to concentrate on our ibadah more and we can do a lot more this Ramadhan. Now, we have time to read the Quran, improve our hafazan, engage in the remembrance of Allah SWT, reflect and improve oneself, learn a new skill like cooking or baking to serve to your family for breaking fast...and the list goes on!

Let us strive in improving ourselves this Ramadhan and have patience.

My sister's Majlis Khatam Quran a week before the MCO