BHUBANESWAR: Muslims across the state on Wednesday celebrated Eid-ul-Adha following government guidelines for Covid-19. They offered prayers at homes and shared Eid greetings with friends and relatives. Many of them also went online to wish others. Feast and merry-making were also confined indoors.
This is the second consecutive year that the community had to restrict celebrations owing to the deadly virus that has claimed many lives and whose effect is still being felt across the state and country.
The festival, also known as Bakrid, is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, the 12th and last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It also marks the end of Haj pilgrimage, which was cancelled this year as well owing to the pandemic.
The festival is celebrated to mark the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham, who obeyed the command of Allah to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail. However, Allah stopped the sacrifice and placed an animal in his son’s place.
“The festival charm was clearly missing. We offered prayers at our homes following Covid guidelines and prayed for peace, prosperity, brotherhood and end of the pandemic,” said Hafizur Rehman, an entrepreneur in the city.
“We not only missed the charm of offering mass prayers at the mosques but also the joy of inviting guests home to share in the festival spirit. However, we had to compromise it the treat of Covid-19 still persists and saving lives is more important that festivities,” said Sajid Khan, a college student.
Anjuman Islamia Ahle Sunnat O Jamat of Cuttack, a body of Muslims, took every care to celebrate the festival peacefully in the city, said president of the organisation, Abdul Ahad (Hadi babu).
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