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Coronavirus: How will places of worship change after lockdown? | Coronavirus: How will places of worship change after lockdown? |
(30 minutes later) | |
Places of worship will be able to reopen to congregations from 4 July but what will they look like - and how will they be different? BBC News visited a mosque, church and synagogue in Cambridge to find out. | Places of worship will be able to reopen to congregations from 4 July but what will they look like - and how will they be different? BBC News visited a mosque, church and synagogue in Cambridge to find out. |
The congregations might be set for a return - but hand-shaking, hugs and hymns will all be absent. | The congregations might be set for a return - but hand-shaking, hugs and hymns will all be absent. |
Since lockdown took hold in March, the major religious festivals of Easter, Passover and Eid have all been and gone. | Since lockdown took hold in March, the major religious festivals of Easter, Passover and Eid have all been and gone. |
Celebrated - not in beautiful, sacred buildings - but live streamed into living rooms. | Celebrated - not in beautiful, sacred buildings - but live streamed into living rooms. |
'The mosque is a spiritual hospital' | 'The mosque is a spiritual hospital' |
"Lockdown has been an uncanny experience," said Abdal Hakim Murad, of the Cambridge Central Mosque. | "Lockdown has been an uncanny experience," said Abdal Hakim Murad, of the Cambridge Central Mosque. |
Completed in May 2019, this elaborate feat of architecture welcomes worshippers from across the religious spectrum who step inside for solace and prayer. | Completed in May 2019, this elaborate feat of architecture welcomes worshippers from across the religious spectrum who step inside for solace and prayer. |
Dr Murad said the closure had been "disorientating and distressing" to many. | Dr Murad said the closure had been "disorientating and distressing" to many. |
"Muslims tend to be creatures of habit, our forms of worship have never changed, so we were somewhat wrong-footed. | "Muslims tend to be creatures of habit, our forms of worship have never changed, so we were somewhat wrong-footed. |
"We have a large, traditional community, and for older members it has been a social as well as a religious hub. We are like a spiritual hospital. | "We have a large, traditional community, and for older members it has been a social as well as a religious hub. We are like a spiritual hospital. |
"It has become a digital place of worship - from a parish mosque to a global one." | "It has become a digital place of worship - from a parish mosque to a global one." |
"Cambridge is a very unequal place - there is real poverty here," Dr Murad said. | "Cambridge is a very unequal place - there is real poverty here," Dr Murad said. |
"The number of people in distress, socially, economically and spiritually, has gone up. | "The number of people in distress, socially, economically and spiritually, has gone up. |
"Sermons and conversions - even weddings - have taken place online. We've had more hits from overseas than Romsey Town in Cambridge." | "Sermons and conversions - even weddings - have taken place online. We've had more hits from overseas than Romsey Town in Cambridge." |
Things will look a little different when it reopens in 10 days' time. | Things will look a little different when it reopens in 10 days' time. |
Linoleum prayer mats will be placed out for individuals, with numbers limited on entry. Dr Murad expects about 20% capacity. | Linoleum prayer mats will be placed out for individuals, with numbers limited on entry. Dr Murad expects about 20% capacity. |
"Muslim worship is famously shoulder-to-shoulder, foreheads together on the carpet, ablutions," he said. | "Muslim worship is famously shoulder-to-shoulder, foreheads together on the carpet, ablutions," he said. |
"We don't want to be another node of propagation for this virus. | "We don't want to be another node of propagation for this virus. |
"But people have become less materialistic, they think about death more, the eternal verities. They want religion more than they did," he said. | "But people have become less materialistic, they think about death more, the eternal verities. They want religion more than they did," he said. |
"We need each other." | "We need each other." |
'God opened a door for us' | 'God opened a door for us' |
Two minutes around the corner is the new C3 Church on Brooks Road, a vibrant, Evangelical place of worship. | Two minutes around the corner is the new C3 Church on Brooks Road, a vibrant, Evangelical place of worship. |
Jamie Bambrick said staff and volunteers had pulled together to provide support in the community and a new online presence - known as "care and content". | Jamie Bambrick said staff and volunteers had pulled together to provide support in the community and a new online presence - known as "care and content". |
But not being able to sing will present a significant challenge. Singing is banned because of fears it could cause infected droplets from people's mouths to remain in the air for longer - and travel further. | But not being able to sing will present a significant challenge. Singing is banned because of fears it could cause infected droplets from people's mouths to remain in the air for longer - and travel further. |
"It will be strange, it's not like we can hum," he said. | "It will be strange, it's not like we can hum," he said. |
"Worship with music is a big element of our church service experience. We'll have to play it - and make it a reflective moment." | "Worship with music is a big element of our church service experience. We'll have to play it - and make it a reflective moment." |
Since lockdown, C3 has given out more than 35,000 meals, and established online courses in mental health and bereavement. | Since lockdown, C3 has given out more than 35,000 meals, and established online courses in mental health and bereavement. |
The congregation raised more than £100,000 and coupled with a government grant, it hopes to keep the food donations going. | The congregation raised more than £100,000 and coupled with a government grant, it hopes to keep the food donations going. |
Mr Bambrick said they had seen the usual 1,100-strong weekend attendance double online. | Mr Bambrick said they had seen the usual 1,100-strong weekend attendance double online. |
"We've also been broadcasting into prisons - 46,000 inmates have been able to tune in. That's an opportunity we would never have had without putting everything online. | "We've also been broadcasting into prisons - 46,000 inmates have been able to tune in. That's an opportunity we would never have had without putting everything online. |
"God opened that door for us." | "God opened that door for us." |
A date for reopening for services has not been set, but when it does, the church will establish a free ticket service to limit numbers - and install a one-way flow. | |
"We understand many may not want to come back initially," Mr Bambrick said. | "We understand many may not want to come back initially," Mr Bambrick said. |
"We've seen the church unify in a remarkable way. | "We've seen the church unify in a remarkable way. |
"It hasn't all been sunshine and lollipops. But there is something about having a trust in God in times like this." | "It hasn't all been sunshine and lollipops. But there is something about having a trust in God in times like this." |
'It wouldn't be right if people didn't feel safe' | 'It wouldn't be right if people didn't feel safe' |
Built in 2015, the Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue in Cambridge is nestled in a quiet residential street, in view of the grazing cattle on Midsummer Common. | Built in 2015, the Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue in Cambridge is nestled in a quiet residential street, in view of the grazing cattle on Midsummer Common. |
It has an immaculate prayer hall that can fit 200 people. | It has an immaculate prayer hall that can fit 200 people. |
"We closed in mid-March, and since then we've been 'Zooming' services," said Sheila Levy, of the Beth Shalom Council. | "We closed in mid-March, and since then we've been 'Zooming' services," said Sheila Levy, of the Beth Shalom Council. |
"It's worked very nicely in some ways because people who used to be members and now live anywhere in the world have been joining us - as well as people who can't always get here on a Saturday morning. | "It's worked very nicely in some ways because people who used to be members and now live anywhere in the world have been joining us - as well as people who can't always get here on a Saturday morning. |
"We have one ex-member in the States who gets up in the middle of the night for the Shabbat service and we can watch the dawn breaking in America behind her." | "We have one ex-member in the States who gets up in the middle of the night for the Shabbat service and we can watch the dawn breaking in America behind her." |
The synagogue has 800 members across Cambridgeshire. Volunteers created a welfare committee to support vulnerable people, and social distancing precautions will continue, especially for the High Holy Days of New Year and Yom Kippur. | The synagogue has 800 members across Cambridgeshire. Volunteers created a welfare committee to support vulnerable people, and social distancing precautions will continue, especially for the High Holy Days of New Year and Yom Kippur. |
"A lot of our community are over 60 and are not comfortable coming back at the moment," Ms Levy added. | "A lot of our community are over 60 and are not comfortable coming back at the moment," Ms Levy added. |
"Not seeing people face to face has been difficult, but it's brought us together in many ways too. | "Not seeing people face to face has been difficult, but it's brought us together in many ways too. |
"It wouldn't be right if people don't feel safe to come back. We're looking at streaming services. | "It wouldn't be right if people don't feel safe to come back. We're looking at streaming services. |
"It will be sad not to use this beautiful building to its full capacity." | "It will be sad not to use this beautiful building to its full capacity." |
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |