While completing the activity on Sharia Law, I came across some news sources that addressed Sharia Law in light of the current issue of the Coronavirus. Gulf News is a daily English newspaper published from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It seems to produce more popular press articles than high-quality news sources about an issue like the Coronavirus. The article I read is linked here and outlined a decision based in Sharia Law to prioritize public health and safety over the Islamic practice of community prayer in the mosques. The basis for the decision stems from the principle of mitigating danger and harm to the people, which is reported to be a principle of Sharia Law. The article reports that the common practice is for Muslims to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the mosques and sometimes up to 10,000 people gather at once. Today, the mosques in UAE are empty. The article also identified the looming issue of Coronavirus impacting Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Ramadan this year begins at the end of April. Thus far, plans for Ramadan have not been discontinued or rescheduled.
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