(The Washington Post) – Vaccination drives at area mosques have been successful in reaching Muslims and non-Muslims alike
On Sunday, Rizwan Jaka walked around the prayer hall of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Ashburn mosque holding a mic talking about possible side effects after being vaccinated against the coronavirus. He was speaking to a room of people who sat in chairs six feet apart on floors covered with plastic sheets, some swinging their arms to prevent soreness from the shot they just got while others checked their phones and watches to count down the 15-minute waiting period. Behind Jaka, chairman of ADAMS’s board of trustees, volunteers filled out vaccination cards.
This was the second vaccination clinic at the mosque, held jointly with the neighboring synagogue, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, for people who had received their first dose at the same location weeks earlier on April 11.
Muslims fast during Ramadan, but Jaka encouraged people to prioritize their health by breaking the fast if they experienced any side effects. “Remember, you can make up a fasting day after Ramadan if you need to,” Jaka said, addressing the Muslims in the room. The first shot had been given the day before the holy month started, but the second shot came just days before the end of the observance.
Now, as Ramadan comes to a close, the coronavirus vaccines are offering Muslims the hope of standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer again. Since the start of the pandemic, the ADAMS Center has streamed prayers virtually. Branches of the center recently began opening at limited capacity, praying six feet apart to stay within safety guidelines. But it’s far from pre-pandemic levels. The organization has 11 locations across Northern Virginia. During Ramadan, 4,000 to 7,000 congregants would worship every night of the holiday, according to Jaka.
“[The] community collectively made prayers for the vaccinations,” said Syed Moktadir, president of the ADAMS Center, and thus, the ADAMS community has been “quite receptive” to vaccination so people can return to a semblance of normalcy.
Moktadir said the ADAMS Center was among the first in Fairfax County to offer free clinics and “get vaccines to … all religions, all faith groups, all ethnicities.”
The center also held multiple clinics at its other locations in parts of Northern Virginia. Since mid-February, Moktadir said, the center has vaccinated approximately 12,000 people of all faiths; about 700 people were vaccinated at the ADAMS Ashburn mosque and BCRC synagogue clinic alone.
ADAMS also had a clinic in partnership with My Dr’s Pharmacy on two Friday nights during Ramadan.
