Eid-ul-Fitr amid coronavirus pandemic

On Monday (May 25, 2020), after a month-long fasting, Muslims in Bangladesh celebrated the Eid-ul-Fitr amid nationwide lockdown and limitations on movement. This religious festival came at a time when the number of infections and death due to the coronavirus pandemic was increasing rapidly. However, on this occasion, I would like to wish all people around the world a very happy Eid. Stay at home and stay safe. Allah might protect us from the coronavirus pandemic. There is no doubt that this invisible enemy has hampered our everyday life very severely, but I expect that we can go back to our normal life again very soon. 

ImageSource

Because of the outbreak of the coronavirus all over the world, this one of the two major religious festivals of Muslims had been celebrated unlike any other. To contain the spread of this deadly virus, Muslim devotees had to offer Eid prayer at nearby mosques maintaining social distance and health guidelines properly. Worshippers went to the mosques wearing protective face masks and bringing prayer mats from home. Instead of holding one big congregational prayer, several Eid jamaat were held at mosques. To help prevent the spread of this dangerous virus, mosques were disinfected before the Eid prayers and carpets were not rolled out. As the Covid-19 pandemic got deteriorated, Eid congregations were not arranged at Eidgahs or other open places. Even the devotees were not seen handshaking and embracing each other after the prayer. 

On this day, there was the arrangement of various delicious food items at every home, but there was no guest. People had to celebrate this special day with only their family members at home instead of visiting relatives’ house and hanging around. They spent the day eating food, wishing nearer and dearer ones over the phone and on social networking sites and also watching TV programs.