India marks Eid Al Fitr sans festivities
NEW DELHI: Muslims across India marked a sombre Eid on Monday amid coronavirus pandemic.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday greeted people on Eid Al-fitr.
The President tweeted: “Eid Mubarak! This festival is an expression of love, fraternity, peace, and harmony. Eid reaffirms our belief in sharing with and caring for the vulnerable and needy. Let us carry the spirit of giving (zakaat) on this Eid and follow social distancing norms to contain coronavirus spread.”
The Prime Minister said that the special occasion furthers the spirit of compassion.
“Eid Mubarak! Greetings on Eid Al-fitr. May this special occasion further the spirit of compassion, brotherhood and harmony. May everyone be healthy and prosperous,” Modi tweeted.
Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter: “Eid Mubarak to each and every one of you.”
Muslims in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh celebrated Eid Al-fitr on Monday without congregational prayers, traditional festivities, new clothes, handshakes, and warm hugs amid lockdown restrictions due to coronavirus outbreak.
Like the entire fasting month of Ramzan, lockdown restrictions loomed over Eid celebrations as the faithful remained indoors and offered prayers at home, avoiding visits to relatives and friends as a preventive measure.
Audio and video calls and greetings over social media apps replaced the warm handshakes and hugs, a key feature of the festivities every year in normal times.
A muted Eid was celebrated in Lucknow. The City of Nawabs, as it is known, has been known for its lavish Eid celebrations and the vast range of Mughlai dishes that are turned out on the festival.
This year, due to the ongoing lockdown and the Corona scare, mosques wore a barren look. The people fully complied with safety protocols and offered prayers at home.
The old city area that used to buzz with activity in previous years, was completely deserted.
Thousands of devout Muslims on Monday celebrated Eid-ul-fitr with religious fervour at home in Bengaluru, offered prayers (namaz) maintaining physical distance and greeted each other from afar without the customary hugs and shaking hands.
Though Eid was celebrated in coastal Karnataka on Sunday, it is feted in other regions of the southern state, including Bengaluru on Monday, as decided by the Markazi Ruet-e-hilal committee.