Crowds missing as Hyderabad Muslims offer Eid prayers at home amid lockdown
May 25, 2020
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 25 : Crowds were missing from roads, the city was bland with lack of decorations and prayers were offered at homes on Monday by Muslims in Hyderabad, a place known to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with grandeur every year.
One look of the city was evidence that Eid was being celebrated amid a nationwide lockdown imposed as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19.
"Today is Eid but it doesn't appear so. Due to coronavirus, all the mosques are closed for public and everyone is offering prayers at home. Even the government has asked the people to offer prayers and celebrate at our own homes," Mohammad Mustafa Qadri, a resident of Hyderabad, told ANI here.
However, he said that it is for the benefit of the people and that they are happy to do it.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan, which is a month of fasting and prayers for the Muslim community. Ramadan is also the biggest festival for Muslims.
Mohammad Aslam Jawed, also a Hyderabadi local, said that they are offering Eid prayers at home for the welfare of the country. "Every year, we celebrate the festival with great fervour. Markets are open, the city is decorated and people meet and greet each other. We offer prayers at mosques. But this year. Nothing is there," Jawed said.
All religious places, including mosques, have been closed to avoid public gathering at these places to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Another local, Ghouse Qadri, said that the government should have allowed the offering of prayers at mosques for at least a few hours in view of Eid.
"They should have at least allowed offering prayers at mosques for an hour or two. They allowed liquor shops to open, why not mosques. Those who do 'pooja' or read 'namaz' don't cause trouble," Qadri said.
