Uncertainty over community prayers on Eid

Ludhiana: Even as Eid-ul-Zuha is barely a week away, uncertainty prevails over the community prayers offered on the occasion. Muslim community leaders feel that exact picture about the community prayers will become clear after their meeting with the deputy commissioner in a day or two.
“We are going to hold a meeting with the deputy commissioner. However, we are exploring holding Eid prayers in small groups of community members, who will be sacrificing animals maintaining social distancing,” said Maulana Usman Ludhianvi, Naib Shahi Imam, Punjab.
Muhammad Mustkeem, private sectary to the Shahi Imam, Punjab, Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman Saani Ludhianvi, said there would be no Eid function at Jama Masjid on the day and they would request people to celebrate Eid in a simple manner and make donations to the needy.
“We are also asking community members to pray to Allah to rid us of this pandemic. Special prayers will be held on Bakr-Eid for the human beings, who are suffering from the disease. We will also pray for the peace and prosperity of the state and country,” said the private secretary to Shahi Imam.
Many religious leaders are creating awareness among the masses to follow the government norms to prevent spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Eid is expected to be a low-key affair and on the day of festival, a small number of people will be praying at the mosque, like Eid-ul-Fitr. We are asking community members to follow social distancing and wear masks. We are asking people to donate as much as they can to the poor,” said Muhammad Motiur Rahman, Imam at Sunni Noori Jama Masjid, Dakha.
Meanwhile, many community members have said that they would not celebrate Bakr-Eid even at their homes for safety concerns.
“For us, safety is first priority and we can celebrate festivals in the coming times. We can celebrate Eid with family members and can say Eid prayers at home as we did on Eid-ul-Fitr. Normally, we would go to meet our relatives on Eid, but this time around, we are not doing so and will stay at home only,” said advocate Mohd Zahid of Barewal.