COVID DAMPENS ID FESTIVITIES IN PAK, B’DESH

Islamabad/Dhaka, May 25: The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns coupled with travel restrictions and social distancing norms have muted the Id celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh as worshippers in the two Muslim-majority countries marked the end of Ramzan in strictly-regulated prayer congregations.

A large number of people in the two countries were forced to stay indoors on the occasion of Id ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, due to the fears of contracting the Covid-19 which has killed nearly 3.5 lakh people and infected over 55 lakh across the world.

In Pakistan, the government has issued strict instructions to observe social distancing while offering Id prayers and asked people to avoid visiting relatives and hosting parties. As the railways remained closed, many people could not travel to their hometowns for the most important festival.

In Bangladesh, millions joined the prayer congregations. Thousands attended the prayer services at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka while following the social distancing protocols, bdnews24.com reported. Despite government directive for children and senior citizens not to participate in Id prayers, many children and people aged over 60 attended the Id prayers.