No delicacies or new dresses: Covid-19 casts its shadow over Eid

GUWAHATI: During this time every year, Nilufar Islam (20) would be busy at home preparing Eid delicacies. Her brother Azhar (18) would excitedly try out the new dresses, ordered on e-commerce sites, which had just arrived. But with Covid-19 having cast a shadow over the celebrations, the usual excitement is missing at Nilufar and Azhar’s home at Ambari this year.
“It’s a difficult time. No guest will visit us on Eid. So we have not prepared any delicacies this year. Instead, our family is going to spend some of their savings to feed the elderly at an old-age home in Guwahati,” said Nilufar, who is pursuing her graduation. With fervent appeals from all quarters asking people to stay at home, Azhar has not gone shopping with his friends this time.
Unlike every year, most people will not visit friends to exchange sweets and gifts but send greetings on social media. “Eid greetings will be conveyed mostly over the social media groups. No one will venture out to celebrate the festive occasion this year,” said Ainuddin Ahmed, a young advocate from Mangaldoi in lower Assam.
Others have decided to spend the festive cheer by distributing food and clothes. “In our village, youths have been distributing food and clothes to the needy families just before Eid. Our group of 10 youths has given Rs 500 each to 60 families,” said Alamin Ahmed from Barpeta.
All mosques and Eidgah committees have decided to cancel community namaaz and asked people to pray at home. The over 100-year-old Guwahati Eidgah in Machkhowa area of the city will for the first time in history wear a deserted look on Eid this year. “Hundreds of people gather every year to offer community namaaz at the Guwahati Eidgah. But this year will be remembered as an exception,” said general secretary of Central Hilal Committee, Assam, Imdad Hussain, who is also the secretary of the Guwahati Eidgah Committee.
All Assam Minorities Students’ Union adviser Azizur Rahman also appealed to everyone to celebrate Eid with their family members at home. “Everyone should maintain social distancing while celebrating Eid. Containing the spread of Covid-19 is our biggest responsibility at the moment,” he said.