Anger as ‘shockingly short notice’ of new restrictions disrupts Eid celebrations

MUSLIM leaders have criticised the Government for the “shockingly short notice” of new restrictions imposed in parts of northern England, which was announced the night before the Islamic festival of Eid.

The Health Secretary has denied that the new restriction was aimed at curtailing Eid celebrations, stating that “immediate action” was needed across Greater Manchester and parts of east Lancashire and West Yorkshire to keep people safe.

The announcement has been likened to that of cancelling Christmas, as it came just hours before Eid-alAdha began yesterday.

The new rules, which came into effect from midnight, bans people in the restricted areas from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens following a spike in virus cases.

The Muslim Council of Britain’s secretary general, Harun Khan, condemned the Government for making the announcement at “shockingly short notice”.

He said: “With the first day of Eid being today, for Muslims in the affected areas it is like being told they cannot visit family and friends for Christmas on Christmas Eve itself. Whilst the safety of communities is of paramount importance, as has remained the case from the very outset of this crisis, so is effective communication delivered in a timely fashion.

“Failure to communicate makes it difficult for communities across the

country to continue working together to minimise the spread of the virus, whilst eroding trust in the ability of authorities to steer our course as we tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

“The UK Government has failed to provide clarity on the shockingly short notice and the reasoning behind the new rules that British Muslims deserve – any such clarification would be most welcome.”

Eid al-Adha – the festival of sacrifice – follows the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

It is the second major celebration of the Islamic calendar after Eid alFitr, which marks the end of the month of fasting called Ramadan.

Many Muslims celebrate Eid alAdha, which can last between two to four days, by sacrificing an animal for feasts to be shared by family, friends and those in need in large groups.

When asked on BBC’s Today programme whether the measures were announced late on Thursday night to stop Eid celebrations from taking place, Matt Hancock said: “No, my heart goes out to the Muslim communities in these areas because I know how important the Eid celebrations are. I’m very grateful to the local Muslim leaders, the imams in fact, across the country who’ve been working so hard to find a way to have Covid-secure celebrations.

“For instance celebrating Eid in parks where there’s more space available and of course outdoors is safer than indoors.”