BEREA, Ohio — A group of Berea’s Muslim community found an innovative way to worship and hold service to mark the end of Ramadan.
Since most of the mosques in the area are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the risk of spreading the virus far greater indoors, one family reached out, wondering about holding an outdoor service.
Members of the community gathered on the Tyler Field baseball diamond on Sunday morning to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith when Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset for 30 days.
Those who attended the outdoor worship service wore face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Musa Sugpong, the Imam who led the service Sunday, said the city was gracious enough to mow the lawn on Friday in preparation for the impromptu outdoor service and the Berea Police Department also assisted in making sure the event ran smoothly.
Sunday’s outdoor service has given Sugpong an idea of how to hold future services outside if need be and the idea may be considered for Friday prayers, Sugpong said.
