Subdued Eid fest in coastal Karnataka amid lockdown

Mangaluru : At the end of month-long Ramadan fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in coastal districts of Karnataka on a subdued note at homes due to ban on mass gathering in mosques amid lockdown across the southern state to contain the coronavirus spread, an official said on Sunday.

"As decided by Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal committee member Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashidi sahib on Saturday after Maghrib, Eid is being celebrated in the state's coastal region today (Sunday) and on Monday in other parts of the state though the moon could not be sighted on Saturday night," said Maulana Sagheer Ahmed Rashadi in a statement here.

The port city of Mangaluru is about 360km southwest of Bengaluru.

The state's coastal region comprises Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu and Chikkamagalur districts off the Arabian Sea.

"All the devout Muslims offered Eid prayers (namaz) at their home and greeted each other from a distance to maintain physical distancing. Attired in new clothes, all of us part-took the festival dishes, including biryani and kheer," Urdu teacher Habibur Rahman told IANS on phone.

As the state government decided to enforce a strict lockdown on Sunday the people completed shopping for new dresses and groceries for the feast by Saturday evening.

"This is the first time in our life we are celebrating Eid at home as we are unable go to mosque for prayers or greet others due to the extended lockdown, which also made us observe fast during the month-long Ramadan at home," recalled Rahman.

The first day of Shawwal (1441 Azli Fazli) will be on Monday.

In a video message, Jamia masjid Imam Maulana Abdul Aleem of Bhatkal in the northern coastal district urged the people to maintain peace and harmony and bear the inconvenience due to the lockdown with fortitude.

"May this special day bring peace, blessings and happiness to all. Pray Allah to accept our prayers on the Eid," the Maulana said on the occasion.

Bhatkal is about 460km northwest of Bengaluru in the southern state.

The Imam also hoped (Inshallah), COVID menace would soon end so that all could get back to normal life and meet relatives and friends again.