Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 21: COVID-19 and incessant rains marred Eid-ul-Adha celebrations across Kashmir with major Masjids and prayer grounds empty across the Valley.
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Among the major Masjids in the city, where no Eid prayers were held include historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Dargah Hazratbal, Dastgeer Sahib, Khankah-e-Moula and several other major Masjids.
Most of the major mosques here that normally attract large congregations remained closed, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidelines issued by the administration.
People in the Srinagar city largely celebrated Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice in their homes today, paying heed to appeals made by the authorities in view of the COVID-19.
In some of the local Masjids, where Eid prayers were offered by limited number of people, the COVID-19 protocol including social distancing was adhered to.
Eid prayers were offered at around 7 AM in most of the mosques in the district during which scholars shed light on the importance of sacrifice. No large gathering of Eid prayers was held at any place in the district.
Eid prayers were offered at around 8 pm in Central Jamia Masjid Beerwah town, where limited gathering was allowed. Eid prayers were also offered in various villages with people mostly following SOPs.
Due to the incessant rains that lashed Kashmir, people mostly stayed indoors and there was no hustle bustle on the occasion.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar, hailed role of people in cooperating with administration. “People behaved like responsible citizens and adhered to COVID Appropriate Behaviour”, he said. “I thank people of Kashmir on cooperating with Jammu and Kashmir Police in maintaining COVID SOPs to keep this virus at bay”, he added.
Eid-ul-Adha is the festival of sacrifice observed on the tenth day of the Dhulhajj, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
The festival is marked by sacrificing animals. Post the sacrifice, the meat is distributed among neighbours, friends, relatives and poor and the needy.
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