LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A holy month Muslims look forward to each year is nearly over for 2020. And this Ramadan has been a unique time of prayer and celebration, to say the least.

Imam Muhammad Almoutem would usually have his Louisville mosque open 24/7 to those wishing to pray and celebrate together during the holiday, and each Friday he would welcome hundreds at a time. But he’s had to lock the doors, counsel most members through video services, and only meet in person under serious circumstances.

“For sure, our hearts are attached to the mosque,” Almoutem said, sitting with Spectrum News 1 in the middle of his otherwise vacant mosque. “Everybody wants to come to the mosque, especially in Ramadan. Ramadan is a unique month for Muslims. [For] 29 or 30 days, the people, they feel a difference. They come to the mosque, they pray more.”

When Kentucky churches are allowed to reopen, the Imam says he will tape spaced out marks on the floor in the mosque to make sure members remain safely distant from one another.

2020’s Ramadan began April 23 and ends May 23.