Assam Masjid Committees: No Eid mass prayers due to COVID-19
What's the story
Masjid committees in Assam have decided not to have mass prayers on their premises during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state government guidelines. Clerics of the masjids have appealed to the faithful in their area to offer prayers at their respective homes to celebrate the festival at the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting.
Details
No mass gathering during Eid at masjids or Eidgah fields
An office-bearer of the Burha Jame Masjid Committee in Guwahati said there will be no mass gathering of people as usual during Eid at the masjids or Eidgah fields. No gathering of people will take place for offering prayers, traditional shake of hands with one another, or exchange of embraces due to the pandemic protocols of social distancing, the office-bearer added.
Quote
Most masjids have been kept locked since the pandemic began
"To avoid large congregations and for crowd management, most masjids have been kept locked by their committees since the pandemic last year. Only five persons, including Maulana and the staff, will offer prayers in Masjid premises this holy festival," he informed.
Congregation
Eid is expected to fall on Friday
Meanwhile, the clerics have asked the believers to follow the state government's recent guidelines allowing a congregation of only five persons at a time at all religious places. The Burha Jame Masjid Committee member added that Eid celebrations will most likely be on Friday but it would depend on the sighting of the moon either on that day or earlier on Thursday.
Single-day spike
Assam records 5,803 new COVID-19 cases, 77 fatalities
Assam on Monday recorded 77 deaths due to coronavirus- the state's highest number of single-day fatalities since the pandemic broke out last year, as reported by TOI. At the same time, the state reported 5,803 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest so far, after carrying out 72,197 tests. Assam's health department is closely monitoring the new cases detected in the last 24 hours.