Eid ul Fitr is one of the most famous religious celebrations of Muslims. It is a cause for celebration for all those who fast for a whole month. Its celebrations ignite feelings of unanimity and harmony among Muslims around the world. However, since 2020 the celebrations marking Eid have been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
For this reason, even this year, the celebrations were limited to homes. However, you can celebrate the occasion despite the accident, in the safest way possible. So, without further ado, let’s find out how to make the most of Eid during the Covid-19 pandemic.
EID DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Government of Pakistan has announced the Eid holiday from 10 to 15 May 2021. According to the guidelines issued, travel to the northern areas has been banned and inter-provincial travel limited. However, 70% of trains and 50% of passenger cars were allowed to cross provincial borders because people want to be with their loved ones on Eid day.
With these measures, it is mandatory that all people comply with the SOP guidelines; always wear a face mask, keep social distance, and sanitize your hands regularly. These little steps will go a long way in protecting you and your family. If you have a fever, you need to isolate yourself so as not to infect other people around you.
While this is another unusual Eid, we’ve put together a rundown so you can make the most of Eid during the Covid-19 pandemic.
ADD A TWIST TO YOUR CHAAND RAAT
For most people, the night before Eid, Chaand Raat, is a fiesta on its own. It is a celebration with its own set of traditions, customs, and practices. For women and girls, it is a day of preparation for Eid. It’s a day when salons are overfilled, bazaars are full of last-minute shoppers, and the night fades into the wee hours of Eid. Chaand Raat bazaars with mehndi stalls and street food are something families attended.
However, none of this will be possible this year as the government has imposed a smart lockdown across the country.
This, however, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. You can do pretty much the same things in the confines of your home. As soon as the announcement comes, you can start small celebrations at your home and digitally connect with your friends and family to share the celebrations.
Watch mehndi tutorials for making your own mehndi, ordering your favorite food, watching a movie, and throwing a party with your friends.
If you miss the outdoors, there’s nothing wrong with taking a walk around town. Most restaurants offer drive-in catering and some have adapted well to this idea and offer portable tables. Stay masked as much as possible and disinfect everything. It’s best if you bring your own utensils and cutlery, instead of using reusable utensils or worse, plastic.
Try to avoid getting out of the car and making physical contact with someone as much as possible.
2021 EID DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC ASKS FOR SPECIAL DELICACIES
After a month of fasting, specially prepared treats are a must on Eid. In South Asia, particularly Pakistan, sweet dishes such as Sheer Khorma, gulab jamun, ras malai, shahi tukray, and the like are prepared to commemorate the “meethi Eid”. These, along with main dishes such as biryani, pulao, and barbecue are a staple in most households.
You can spend the day cooking these delicacies at home and instead of organizing dinners or lunches for large groups of people, it is better to celebrate with people at home. The best thing to do is to protect yourself and your loved ones.
While food is a central part of the celebrations, this year you can go out of your way to prepare all the family’s favorite dishes during the long vacation.
While there is some joy in hosting people and eating together, now is the time to enjoy a relaxed Eid with your family. While we must keep social distance, there is nothing wrong with connecting with our family and friends through social media. There are numerous applications that allow you to stay in touch with your loved ones, wherever they are.
To make this experience as safe as possible, it is best to shop in advance to avoid large crowds during the last days of Ramadan. You can easily stock up on most things with a refrigerator and fridge, and this year you are bound to do so.
EID DAYS 2021
Now that you have enjoyed Chaand Raat and the delicacies prepared, you must spend the three days of Eid ul Fitr in the best possible way. The first day of Eid begins with a massive congregation, which again, cannot be organized and should not be attended.
You better stay safe, however, if your local mosque offers the facilities to pray in the courtyard of your home, it doesn’t get any better than that. Women can also join the congregation in this way and social distances will be maintained at all levels.
After the congregation’s prayers, it’s time to get ready, and staying at home shouldn’t be an excuse not to. There is a lot to celebrate after Ramadan. Enjoy your meal, help at home and call your family.
Taking a ride and enjoying dinner in the car is always a good option. You can also stream your favorite movie in the car while enjoying your meal with friends and family. Stay away from open spaces, especially parks that cannot be disinfected regularly.
If you have children at home, you can organize activities for them, such as painting, coloring, preparing food, just spending time with them. These holidays are a blessing in disguise, as once the restrictions are lifted, you will no longer be able to spend time with your family this way.
This Eid, don’t forget the less fortunate. Many people have been turned away from work due to the pandemic and it is our duty to help them as we celebrate Eid safely. You can organize large drives of rations or even just hand out sweets to children to spread joy. The spirit of ‘Eid is in sharing and this year there is an even greater need to do so.
Even though the celebrations this year have been limited to homes, we should be grateful to be safe and to remember the millions of people who have been affected by the pandemic.
As Muslims, we are all connected by our belief system, no matter where we are. These are difficult times and we must be careful about everyone’s safety. Even if the holidays are small, having a healthy home is the biggest blessing for anyone this year, and we should be very grateful for that.
How are you celebrating this eid?
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