Srinagar: With Covid-19 still around, empty grand mosques and Eidgahs (prayer grounds for Eid) of the Kashmir valley reflected adherence to the SOPs by the people as no congregational Eid prayers were held across the valley.
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 pandemic.
As per reports, most of the major mosques in Srinagar that normally attract large congregations remained closed, in view of the 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.
Reports further added that the people showed responsibility for adhering to Covid Protocol and offered prayers in a decentralized 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 a limited number of people.
In Pulwama, 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,” said a local reporter, adding that the Eid celebrations were modest amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Budgam district, Eid prayers were offered at around 8 pm in Central Jamia Masjid Beerwah town, where a limited gathering was allowed.
“Eid prayers were also offered in various villages of Beerwah Tehsil, Meanwhile all SOPs were followed including the use of masks, sanitizers, and social distancing norms in all masjids,” said a local.
Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar (IPS), While talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) hailed the 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 for Cooperating with Jammu and Kashmir Police in maintaining Covid SOPs so to keep this virus at bay”.
Several religious leaders while talking to the media 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-Adha, more commonly known as Baed 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, neighbors, and especially to the poor and the needy. (KNS)
