Eid Celebrations on Friday to be Low Key Affair in Assam Amid Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Guwahati:

Eid Mubarak Celebration in Guwahati, Assam: This would be the second year in a row that Muslims across Assam would be celebrating the holy festival of Eid also known as Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-al-Fitr on Friday, May 14 under the shadow of rising COVID cases and deaths. The clerics and religious leaders have requested all Muslim brethren to offer Eid prayers at their own homes.

No community Namaz (prayers) would be held in any of the mosques or Eidgahs across the state. As per a new Assam government order, all religious places have been shut from May 13 till May 27 as a precautionary measure due to COVID. The religious head or the priest is allowed to perform prayers or rituals.

The state government has imposed stricter restrictions on the movement of people as the COVID situation has reached alarming proportions in the state. Assam reported 5,657 new cases and 71 deaths on May 12.

As per the new government order, curfew in urban areas would begin at 2 PM every day and will be in place till 5 AM the next morning, shops, business establishments will close by 1 PM, weekly bazaars would remain shut for the next 15 days. These curbs would be in place till May 27. The government has also begun the odd-even car number rule starting May 13 to control the movement of people as COVID numbers continue to rise in the state.

Eid is all about feasting with family and friends, wearing new clothes, and exchanging gifts. It is celebrated after the sighting of the crescent moon. Spotting the crescent moon marks the end of the sacred month of Ramzan or Ramadan and the month of Shawwal begins. Devout Muslims from across the world keep fast, offer prayers and feed the needy during the entire month of Ramadan. The ninth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar is Ramadan and the tenth is Shawwal whose first day is marked as Eid-ul-Fitr across the world. [Also Read: Try These Rich Eid Special Food, Sweet Dishes This Year at Home]

Fasting is important for every pious Muslim as it is said to be one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four pillars are professing faith (Shahada) in God and that Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger of God, prayer (salat), Muslims are supposed to pray five times a day, offering Zaqat, a fixed portion of income is donated to the needy.

People who cannot fast due to health reasons can feed the needy. Muslims fast till sundown every day and then they break the fast. Fasting helps them feel the pain, hunger, and thirst experienced by the poor and needy. Fasting is a way of obliterating the difference between a rich and a poor. Fasting also builds tolerance and patience. This also makes one realise the fact that whatever God has given is great and one needs to be grateful for that.

The month of Ramzan is considered sacred by Muslims. They believe that it is during this month God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed. This is believed to have happened on the night of the 27th day of Ramzan or any of the odd-numbered days of the month. It is known as 'Night of Power' or 'Night of Decree' or Laylat al-Qadr.

Also Read: Ramadan 2021: Fasting to Begin on April 14

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