BSS-32, 33 Holy Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in somber mood amid coronavirus pandemic

753

ZCZC

BSS-32

EID-UL-FITR-CELEBRATION

Holy Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in somber mood amid coronavirus pandemic

DHAKA, May 25, 2020 (BSS) – The holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the
greatest religious festivals of Muslims, was celebrated today in a
somber mood amid coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The festival was celebrated in line with the government’s directives
including maintaining physical distancing, avoiding mass gathering and
abiding by the health rules as the country, like other world states,
is at risk of the fatal COVID-19 outbreak.

The Eid was celebrated with due solemnity, fervor and gaiety as the
holy Ramadan, the month of fasting and abstinence, came to an end and
the people remained themselves confined in houses after offering Eid
prayers to the nearest mosques in their vicinities.

The very auspicious occasion began with the sighting of the Shawwal
moon last night and reached the climax this morning amid offering the
Eid-ul-Fitr prayers by millions from all strata of life at mosques in
the capital and elsewhere across the country.

Eid-ul-Fitr is an Arabic word meaning “festival of breaking the
fast”. The festival marks an end to the Muslims fasting month of
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims abstain from
eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during the holy Ramadan.

On the Eid day morning, Muslims gather at mosques and prayer venues
to perform Eid prayers and greet each other. The festival is usually
celebrated by visiting friends and relatives, hosting food parties and
sharing sweets. Children not only get new clothes and shoes, but also
receive cash gifts called “Salami” from their elders, relatives and
well-wishers.

The occasion is seen as a time of forgiveness and of giving thanks
to Allah for helping people complete their month-long spiritual
fasting. Many Muslims distribute cash and food to the less fortunate
ones.

But, this year, the Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in a somber manner as
the government has imposed a strict restriction on all social
gatherings and urged the devotees to celebrate the Eid with only
family members indoors instead of visiting relatives’ houses and
outing around in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

MORE/ASG/PSB/MRU/2044hrs

ZCZC

BSS-33

EID-UL-FITR-CELEBRATION-TWO LAST

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday issued a 14-point
instruction for Muslim devotees and mosque committees in observance of
the Eid-ul-Fitr.

It called upon the city dwellers to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr with
family members at home and advised all to refrain from visiting
relatives, neighbours, and entertainment spots in the city in a bid to
contain the spread of the lethal virus.

The instruction also said devotees would have to perform ablution
from home before reaching Eid prayers, instead of using ablution room
of the mosques.

Earlier, on May 14, the Religious Affairs Ministry issued a circular
asking the authorities concerned to hold Jamaat of the Eid-ul-Fitr at
nearby mosques instead of Eidgahs or open spaces aiming to contain the
spread of coronavirus.

The authorities concerned also urged the Muslim devotees not to hug
each other after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, which is the common scenario of
the Eid festival.

In line with the government directives, Dhaka north and south city
corporations decided not to hold any Eid jamaat (congregation) on open
spaces, including at the National Eidgah on the High Court premises,
in the capital.

Besides, the historic Eid jamaat at the Sholakia Maidan in
Kishoreganj has also been cancelled this year amid the COVID-19
situation.

However, five Eid jamaats were held at the Baitul Mukarram National
Mosque today like every year, according to Islamic Foundation.

The first Eid jamaat was held at 7 am followed by other four
congregations at the same venue to help the devotees perform Eid
prayers maintaining the social distancing and health guidelines
properly.

The second, third, fourth and fifth Jamaats were held at 8 am, 9 am,
10 am and 10.45 am respectively while separate Khatibs of the national
mosque conducted those.

President M Abdul Hamid today offered Eid-ul-Fitr prayers along with
his family members and some senior officials at Bangabhaban Durbar
Hall.

President’s Press Secretary Mohammad Joynal Abedin told BSS that
the head of the state offered prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest
religious festival of Muslims, with his family members and some
important officials at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

The Eid jamaat (congregation) was held at 9:30 am. Pesh Imam of
Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Mufti Maulana Saiful Kabir conducted the Eid
prayers.

A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and
progress of the country and welfare of the people as well as the
Muslim Ummah.

Like other mosques throughout the country, special doa was also
offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of those who died
of the fatal COVID-19, also wishing early recovery of the infected
ones throughout the country as well as across the world.

Doa was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of
Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs
who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the county and its people
in different democratic movements, particularly during the Liberation
War in 1971.

After the prayers, President Hamid spent time with his family
members at the Presidential palace.

On the occasion, Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other
private TV channels are airing special programmes.

BSS/ASG/PSB/MRU/2044hrs