Muslims celebrate Eid amid Covid-19 measures

Coronavirus pandemic cast a shadow over the grand Eid celebrations as large gatherings were not allowed in the Covid-stricken towns and cities across the world. Worshippers were seen wearing face masks and maintaining social distance during Eid prayers. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation allowed mosque prayers only in low-risk areas, but mosques in areas where there was more risk of the virus spreading closed their doors including Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia. Malaysia and Indonesia banned its citizens from visiting their families relatives in the traditional Eid homecoming. "I understand that we all miss our relatives at times like this, especially in the momentum of Eid,'' Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in televised remarks. "But let's prioritize safety together by not going back to our hometowns." Eid will be celebrated on Friday in most of the regions in India. Indian Muslim clerics urged the community members to celebrate the festival at home in a simple manner. State governments put ban on congregational prayers and get-togethers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr due to the Covid pandemic. "Amid distress, fear and worry, we have to celebrate the Eid at home this year," said Maulana Sohel, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad Mandi Faction) Marathwada unit.