Kolkata: No Eid prayer to be held on Red Road this year

KOLKATA: There will be no prayers for Eid-ul-Azha on Red Road this year. Earlier this week, the organisers of the biggest livestock market in the city, in Narkeldanga, decided not to set up shop this year due to the pandemic.
Close to 3 lakh people congregate on Red Road on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha every year to offer special prayers. But since 2020, prayers have not been held there as a safety measure to keep the virus in check. Even though cases have declined — after a surge due to the second wave — Calcutta Khilafat Committee, which organises the prayers every year, has decided not to hold the prayers on July 21.
“The pandemic is not over and restrictions by the government are still in place. Our priority is the safety of everyone, so we do not want to take any chance. Health workers have warned of a third wave if we are not careful about social distancing and wearing masks. In view of the prevailing situation, we have decided not to hold prayers on Red Road on July 21,” said Nasir Ahmed, general secretary of Calcutta Khilafat Committee.
The committee has urged people to offer prayers in small batches in their local mosques following Covid-appropriate behaviour. Many mosques are planning to hold multiple prayer sessions to prevent crowding.
“People must either pray at home or at their local mosques following Covid-appropriate behaviour,” said a member of the committee.