Abandoned Mosques, Markets: COVID-19 Dispirits Eid Celebration In Lucknow

Abandoned Mosques, Markets: COVID-19 Dispirits Eid Celebration In Lucknow 

New Delhi: As the nation is facing a COVID-19 lockdown, it has dispirited Eid celebrations beyond the country, iconic mosques in Lucknow and markets remain empty amidst appeals by senior Muslim clerics to stay indoors and guarantee social distancing.

This would probably be the first time that the enthusiasts in the country won't step out to gather in the shrines and offer prayers, greet each with a warm embrace or hold gatherings to celebrate the festival.

Only four people along with the chief cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid, on Friday, at the mosque in Aishbagh locality. The top cleric has asked people to use social media to greet each other.

Of the two biggest mosques in the city, one of them - Teele wali Masjid - has been locked down amid the pandemic.

Lucknow's iconic Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Mosque, close to Teele wali Masjid also remains shut due to the pandemic. 

The Muslim clerics have also appealed to donate money to those affected by the pandemic.

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Maulana Khalid Rashid said, "Many have been left unemployed due to the lockdown. We have appealed to the people to donate 50 per cent of the budget to those affected."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Last month, had appreciated the community leaders for disseminating the awareness as Ramadan began.

He said throughout his monthly radio address - Mann Ki Baat, "When Ramzan was observed the last time, we never thought that there would be so many difficulties this time. Now that we are deep in crisis, we have an opportunity to observe the holy month with patience, sensitivity and selflessness. This time, we have to pray more than the last time so that the world is freed of coronavirus before Eid... so that we can celebrate with fervour just like before."

Ramzan is marked by month-long fasting by followers of Islam and culminates with the feast of Eid al-Fitr.

Most Muslim bulk countries throughout the world, including Saudi Arabia, have called on their citizens to limit their movement and face to face contact during this year's celebrations.

The Saudi Press Agency, "Muslims will hold the Eid prayer at home because of the pandemic," cited Sheikh Abdul Bari al-Thubaiti, the imam, or the prayer leader, of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, as saying in the Friday sermon.

The royal court and the supreme court said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency, "Saturday will be the last day of the sacred holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr will take place on Sunday."

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