Jamshedpur, May 14: Under the shadow of Covid-19, the city celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional fervor and gaiety as followers of Islam welcomed the auspicious day on Friday. Namaz (prayers) were offered in houses rather than mosques due to ongoing lockdown. The administration has made strict security arrangements for the day with RAF deployed.
Unlike other years, when around this time various eidgahs and mosques around the city were abuzz with activities for accommodating lakhs of people for offering prayers, this year the familiar hustle and bustle of festivity was missing.
Instead, Muslims were urged to remain indoors this year due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Scholars had asked citizens to offer shukrana and chasht prayers instead of Eid prayers from home.
“ We have asked people to call or contact relatives on social media but do not go out to meet them. Maintain social distancing and avoid shaking hands or embracing,” said Mohammed Naseem, a senior citizen. He said he had never experienced anything similar.
The Azadnagar (Mango) Dhatkidih and Jugsalai, the Muslim populated areas of the Steel city, rejoiced the day with young generation especially celebrating most of the day.
The district administration had made enough arrangements for smooth and peaceful celebration of the festival with several magistrates being deployed at strategic locations to ensure law and order. The police particularly, in Azadnagar Mango, Jugsalai and Sakchi maintained tight vigil on the street.
Social worker Shamim Akhtar said that the month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad – the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah. The festival is significant as much for its timing, as for its religious implications.
“Charity and giving alms to the poor is the way of life for Muslims during Ramzan. Platters of delicious cuisines are prepared in every Muslim household across the country. Eid is such an enriching occasion that non-Muslims are also seen taking part in this joyous and thanksgiving festival whole-heartedly,” he said .
Eid is a festival of joy and happiness as it comes after a month-long fasting during holy Ramzan. This festival has become an integral part of the composite culture of the city. Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset and it culminates in Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Most people also avoided going for festival eve shopping and buying new clothes and gifts as a mark of solidarity towards those who have been hit hard due to the lockdown which has snatched away their livelihood sources.
The decision to offer prayers and feast in houses was taken to safeguard the interests of the society amid the coronavirus outbreak and people are abiding by it, he said.