Bihar: ‘Celebrate Bakrid at home with kin, avoid gatherings’

PATNA: With a view to avoiding large congregations, mass prayers will not be offered at Gandhi Maidan or any ‘Eidgah’ (an open place where ‘namaz’ is offered by Muslims) in the state capital on the occasion of Bakrid on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive year when Covid-related restrictions will be imposed on devotees during Bakrid celebrations.
Mahmood Alam, the president of the Namaz Eidan Committee, told this reporter on Monday that the state government had urged people to follow the Covid safety protocols by offering prayers at home in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus. “Nearly 15,000 devotees come together at Gandhi Maidan for offering Bakrid prayers every year,” he said.
Mosques will also remain shut during the celebrations as the government has not allowed religious places to reopen after the Covid-induced lockdown.
Imarat Shariah, a Muslim religious body that has jurisdiction over Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, has also asked devotees to celebrate Bakrid at home with family members. Its general secretary, Maulana Shibli Al Quasami, said, “Hand shakes and hugs should be avoided and social distancing maintained during the festivities.”
Quasami advised Muslims to “maintain cleanliness while offering ‘qurbani’ (ritual sacrifice) and dispose of the wastes at the designated points”. “Do not perform the ritual on roads or streets. Celebrate the festival peacefully and adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour,” he added.
Saran DM for peaceful celebrations: Saran district magistrate (DM) Nilesh Ramchandra Deore has directed the authorities concerned to ensure that Bakrid is celebrated in a peaceful manner on Wednesday. The state government has imposed a ban on large gatherings at holy places till August 6 in light of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The DM told this newspaper on Monday, “Since the holy month of Shravan will begin soon, officials have been asked to keep a watch on bus stops and railway stations and ensure that Covid safety norms are followed during the Kanwar Yatra.”
SP Santosh Kumar has also directed the cops to remain alert and make the district control room functional.
(With inputs from H K Verma in Chhapra)