Hyderabad: Lockdown stifles Eid celebrations

Hyderabad: Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations this year were different and subdued in Hyderabad and other places in Telangana on Monday due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the ongoing national lockdown. The hustle and bustle witnessed every year in Hyderabad, especially in the Old City, during the holy month of Ramzan was missing. The celebrations proved to be a low-key affair this year both in Hyderabad and across the state.

Every year, prayers used to be offered at Eidgahs (open grounds), but they were offered at homes on Monday in view of the pandemic and government disallowing religious congregations.

"We used to offer Eid prayers at Eidgah Miralam, but this year for the first time we offered prayers and celebrated the festival at home due to pandemic and prayed for the world to get free from this virus at the earliest," said Mohammed Mouzam, a resident of Bahadurpura. The Mecca Masjid and Eidgahs, including Eidgah Mir Alam, Eidgah Madannapet, Eidgah Bilali, Eidgah Golconda, etc, were seen deserted as no Eid prayers were offered. At Mecca Masjid heavy police presence was seen and Eidgah Mir Alam was surrounded by RAF (Rapid Action Force).

All major mosques, Eidgahs, shrines had put up banners and along with copy of Jamia Nizamia's appeal emphasizing no congregational prayer was allowed in premises. The notice also urged the Muslims devout to offer prayer at home and to follow the guidelines given by government. Meanwhile, some of the mosques had offered Eid prayers with handful of devout while adhering to government's guidelines, during early hours of the day.

Meeting their friends and relatives in person and greeting each other with a hug was avoided. Even going to friends houses to share wishes and 'shirkhorma', which is the traditional practice in normal days was also avoided. Making use of technology, wishes were exchanged on phones through messages and phone calls. "After offering Eid prayers we used to visit our relatives and friends and greet each other, but this year we offered prayer and celebrated Eid at home and wished each other on phone," Murtuza Mohsin, a resident of Santoshnagar, said. Hectic shopping used to take place every year in Hyderabad, including during nights, but shopping this year has been dull, police sources at historic Charminar said.