Eid celebrations sans hugs

Amarjot Kaur

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 1

The Covid-19 scare and restrictions on public gatherings may have dampened the fervour with which the city mosques celebrate the festival, Eid-ul-Adha, but they have failed to crush the spirit of people.

As the necessity for social distancing comes in the way of ‘Eid Mubarak’ greetings that are coupled with hugs, it makes people cherish each other even more. Talib, on his way back home from the Sector 45 mosque, says: “It’s one of the biggest sacrifices — not being able to hug each other and wish Eid. This makes me value the gesture and human bond even more.” His friend (17) looked forward to having ‘shir’. “This year, we couldn’t get the lamb because of Covid, but my mother has prepared shir,” he says.

Right next to Jama Masjid in Burail, owner of Karim Halal Meat Shop, Islam Malik, said a few people visited the mosque. “Earlier, Eidhgah mela was held in the nearby park and people would queue up to pay obeisance at the mosque in hundreds, but Covid has made them stay at home,” he said.

Though many people, fearing Covid, did not go to the ‘Bakra Mandi’ in Mani Majra, local meat sellers did a brisk business. “My sales have been good this year. Most people are preferring to buy mutton from their local shops rather than buying the lamb from the mandi and that’s advantageous for us,” Malik added.