Srinagar: With Covid-19 still around, the emptiness in grand Mosques and Eidgahs of the Kashmir Valley reflected adherence to Covid SOPs by the people as no congregational Eid prayers were held across the valley.
Reports reaching Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that the people in the Srinagar city largely celebrated Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice in their homes on Wednesday, paying heed to appeals made by the authorities in view of the COVID-19.
They said that most of the major mosques here that normally attract large congregations remained closed, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and guidelines issued by the administration.
Among the major mosques in the city, where no Eid prayers were held include historical Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Dargah Hazratbal, Dastgeer Sahib, Khankah-e-Moula and several others.
Reported said that the people showed responsibility about adhering to Covid Protocol and offered prayers in a decentralised way.
They said that the COVID-19 protocol including physical distancing was strictly adhered to in local mosques of Kashmir Valley, where Eid prayers were offered by limited number of people.
According to Kashmir News Service correspondent from Pulwama, Tanha Ayaz, Eid prayers were offered at around 7 AM in most of the mosques in the district during which scholars shed light on the importance of sacrifice.
“No large gathering of Eid prayers was held at any place in the district,” Tanha said, adding that the Eid celebrations were modest amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Similarly, as per KNS correspondent from Budgam District Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Eid prayers were offered at around 8 pm in Central Jamia Masjid Beerwah town, where limited gathering was allowed.
“Eid prayers were also offered in various villages of Beerwah Tehsil, Meanwhile all SOPs were followed including use of masks, sanitisers and social distancing norms in all masjids,” Aijaz said.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar (IPS), While talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) hailed role of people in Cooperating and said that the Eid Prayers in Local Mosques were held on Peaceful Note.
People behaved like responsible citizens and adhered to Covid Appropriate Behaviour, IGP said adding that “I thank people of Kashmir on Cooperating with Jammu and Kashmir Police in maintaining Covid SOPs so to keep this virus at bay”.
Several religious leaders while talking to Kashmir News Service applauded the role of people in adhering to Covid SOPs and said that the sacrificing of animals will also go as per the government guidelines.
Eid-ul-Zuha, more commonly known as Bakr-Eid, is the festival of sacrifice observed on the tenth day of the Zil al-Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
The festival is marked by sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep or a goat to prove devotion and love for Allah. Post the sacrifice, devotees distribute it to family, friends, neighbours and especially to the poor and the needy. (KNS)
