Sheikh Ladak also points towards the blatant disparity in this world that has been exposed on a new level since COVID-19, and urgently asks the question of why the world continues to stockpile on weapons and arms instead of the dire medical supplies and essentials needed for real crises like the Coronavirus.
Sheikh Ladak also points towards the blatant disparity in this world that has been exposed on a new level since COVID-19, and urgently asks the question of why the world continues to stockpile on weapons and arms instead of the dire medical supplies and essentials needed for real crises like the Coronavirus.
On this week’s TMV Podcast, Chief Editor Salim Kassam speaks to Sheikh Jafar Ladak on a post-pandemic world, and how COVID-19 has almost completely changed the way society functions overnight.
To listen to the full podcast, click below:
Calling it “a shock to the system on all levels”, Sheikh Ladak explains that with the continued lockdowns and change in society stemming from COVID-19, many of us are still struggling to adjust to this new change in normality. From the loss of jobs, the strain on emergency workers and nurses in hospitals, and to self-isolating – there is no shortage in the change of lifestyles for everyone living in a society affected by the Coronavirus.
With Ramadan coming up as well, the Sheikh acknowledges that this will bring new challenges:
We’ve had to rethink the entire structure of the mosque services…often we’ve outsourced our religion to the imams of a mosque, but we’ve now had to renew our own relationships with God.”
The Muslim community will continue to face new challenges along with the rest of society, with issues such as mental health from self-isolating and helping those stuck indoors with an abuser among many others in a world turned almost completely upside down from COVID-19. The entire way we view society, as well as our roles in it, have now been shifted.
Sheikh Ladak also points towards the blatant disparity in this world that has been exposed on a new level since COVID-19, and urgently asks the question of why the world continues to stockpile on weapons and arms instead of the dire medical supplies and essentials needed for real crises like the Coronavirus. The way governments have been responding is telling – and he calls for a serious and immediate public inquiry into the way governments have responded. The public have a right to know the full details, he explains.
Community members are also to be held to account – especially within the Muslim community, Sheikh Ladak claims. Religious leaders and scholars must lead the way in re-shaping the way we view society:
This is a human community…we must shift our thinking. Our scholars must shift from tribalistic or nationalistic or sectarian thinking to a more humanistic community of thinkers…We need to structure society on human rights and not economic needs.”
Sheikh Ladak urges everyone affected by COVID-19 to really reevaluate what is important in life – governments such as the UK, now led by a notoriously conservative majority, have begun to implement blatant socialist policies to save society as we know it in an incredible turn of events – the homeless are being given additional places for shelter, children and students who previously could not afford WiFi at home are now being given WiFi to continue classes, and economic bailout and recovery packages are being discussed at the highest levels.
As individuals as well, we must continue to reevaluate our role in society. Sheikh Ladak urges all Muslims to take a step back and change the way they view their relationship with God – without the backing and support and reliance on normal societal pressures, it is now completely on us as individuals to keep up our relationship with God.
The worst thing we can do is to be ungrateful to Allah at the end of all this. Those who turn to God, God will turn to them.”
To listen to the full podcast, click below:
