Low-key Eid celebrations in Valley amid Covid curbs
SRINAGAR : Amid the Covid-induced ban on large congregations, Eid-ul-fitr was celebrated in a subdued manner across Kashmir valley on Thursday.
Jammu and Kashmir has around 50,000 active cases, with the summer capital Srinagar clocking the highest infections. The Valley continues to remain under lockdown with curfewlike restrictions imposed in 10 districts of the division as the second wave sweeps the UT.
Even as Eid prayers were held in mosques, most residents stayed at home.
No large Eid gathering was reported from any part of Kashmir. The city’s grand mosque, Jamia Masjid, and Dargah Hazratbal, where thousands would offer prayers on Eid, remained locked. The mosque management committee had asked people to offer prayers at their local mosques to avoid crowding at one place.
Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion.
“May this auspicious festival deepen the bond of unity; bring peace, prosperity, and happiness. I urge everyone to follow the Covid protocols, offer Eid prayers at home and stay safe,” the L-G said in his message.
On Wednesday night, grand mufti Nasir-ul-islam had announced the sighting of crescent moon and declared Eid on Thursday. Due to the curfew, many people were unable to make Eid purchases.
The administration on Tuesday had relaxed the curfew for a few hours, which led to a rush in the markets and traffic jams, forcing authorities to withdraw the relaxation not just in Srinagar but also in other districts.
This is the fourth consecutive Eid-ul-fitr in Kashmir, which is being celebrated in a sombre atmosphere.in 2020, Eid-ulazha prayers were subdued in view of the pandemic, while Eidul-fitr prayers could not be offered in May due to a Covid-induced lockdown.
In 2019,Eid-ul-azha prayers could not be offered in Kashmir as authorities had imposed a strict curfew in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTS.