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| The annual Urs event at the Mazaars at Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg. |
By Fakir Hassen
The cancellation of a wide range of religious and cultural events, many of them major annual events in Lenasia, have caused concern to both organisers and supporters.
The first events that succumbed to the lockdown were the Gandhi Walk and Saaberie Chishty Ambulance Banquet, both of which organisers called off as a safety measure just before the declaration of a National State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Corona Virus (Covid19).
As the crisis progressed, other organisers held out some hope of relief if the virus did not infect too many people and could be treated, but their hopes were dashed when the country went into a national lockdown, which was extended further and now will continue for what experts say could be anything from six months to two years, on a risk-based separation at national, provincial and local level.
The annual Ijtima planned by the Muslim community in Azaadville, which draws tens of thousands of people over the Easter weekend, was cancelled, as was the critical fundraiser for the Sultan Bahu organisation, traditionally held on the same weekend.
The annual Rand Show, the biggest commercial fair in the country, also had to be called off.
Unprecedented situations like Muslims being unable to pray at mosques for the first time in recorded South African history and even traditional Ramadan evening Taraweeh prayers not being possible in congregation suddenly confronted the community.
Similarly, Hindu temples and Christian churches across Lenasia have been largely empty for weeks now, with major events such as the Kavady in the Tamil community being cancelled. At many temples, resident priests have been conducting prayers broadcast on the internet.
The annual Diwali Festival of the Hindu Coordinating Council, though scheduled only for November, might also be under threat of cancelation, like many other events and shows that have been in the planning for more than a year now in some cases.
The almost weekly live entertainment shows and weddings at the Gandhi Hall, the Patidar Theatre have seen those popular venues and the many others in the area become as deserted as the schools.
With people adapting to social distancing rules, even if the lockdown ends eventually when a vaccine is found, the way that big events and gatherings are held, whether for religious, sport, cultural or entertainment events, will likely never be the same again.
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