Another Eid celebrated amid Covid-19 pandemic

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, was celebrated on Friday with due fervour and enthusiasm after a month of fasting.

Like last year, Eid was celebrated without any outdoor programmes and prayers at Eidgahs across the country due to the pandemic.

In separate messages, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the nation on the occasion.

In his message, the president said, "Eid brings the message of happiness after the month-long fasting and practice of self-restraint. It is a day when joy is spread out amongst all."

"The coronavirus pandemic is threatening both life and livelihood nowadays. In this difficult time, I call on the affluent section of the society to stand by the poor," the president said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message prayed for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country's people and the Muslim Ummah.

She expressed gratitude to all those who have been working from the frontline to tackle the pandemic in the country.

The premier assured countrymen that everyone would be brought under vaccination programme as her government by now has contacted multiple sources to collect Covid-19 vaccines alongside taking measures to domestically co-produce the jabs with original manufactures.

She also urged all to stand by each other and maintain health rules.

Like the previous year, Eid in the country was celebrated without any outdoor programmes as the government imposed restrictions on all social gathering and urged the devotees to pray at the nearest mosques instead of the Eidgah and open spaces in the wake of the pandemic.

Following the directives, no Eid congregation was held at open spaces, including the National Eidgah on the High Court premises in Dhaka as well as Kishoreganj's Sholakia Maidan.

In the capital, people performed Eid prayers in phases. Five Eid congregations were held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the morning.

People were seen attending prayers wearing masks and leaving the venues without the customary Eid greetings such as embracing each other or shaking hands.

No exchange of Eid greetings took place at Bangabhaban due to the pandemic.

Marking the occasion, television channels and radio stations telecast special programmes.

Special food was served in hospitals, jails, centres for persons with disabilities, shelter homes, orphanages, and welfare centres.

Both the Dhaka city corporations did not hold any jamaat at open spaces. The two mayors greeted city residents on the occasion.