The Sultanate celebrates the first day of Eid al Adha on Tuesday under full lockdown. The complete lockdown in the Sultanate, originally announced for three days during Eid, has been extended by one more day and will now end on July 24, the Supreme Committee on Covid-19 said on Friday.
This closure comes after a month that was the most painful ever since the beginning of the pandemic, when 755 deaths were recorded in June alone.
Despite this, many people expressed dismay over the complete closure, given that many Eid rituals need movement, especially those related to slaughtering animals as a symbol of sacrifice.
However, His Eminence Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad al Khalili, Grand Mufti of the Sultanate, affirmed that the people should stay away from gatherings. He said that the situation has become serious and difficult to deal with and the cases have increased among the health workers.
Regarding the sacrifices, His Eminence affirmed that Allah the Almighty did not burden the worshippers with things that are beyond their endurance, adding that Muslims are relieved from the sacrifice if the situation has become difficult for them to offer a sacrifice at their homes without breaking the lockdown.
So, how would families conduct usual rituals for four consecutive days?
“It is a new experience. Following the Supreme Committee's decision, we will be having our own Eid inside our homes. I have arranged a number of contests for my kids so they don’t feel bored during the lockdown,” said Nama al Kindi, a mother of two.
Nama added that all joys of life can be forsaken but not health. “We don’t want to lose more relatives and the beloved. We have to go a long way till we have fewer cases as well as deaths. We have to be patient”.
Salim al Jabri, an employee, said, "It is hard to keep away from your big family in times like this. But we miss our normal life. We want everything to be back as we are used to.” Al Jabri, who is from Seeb, donated money for Al Rahma Charity Association, for “the sacrifice,” while he bought some meat for his family so they can celebrate Eid in their way.
Awatif al Saidi said, “The days of Eid are blessed days for everyone to celebrate within the confines of homes without risks instead of large gatherings. Rituals remain the same with their beauty by wearing new clothes, slaughtering the sacrifice, and other things that characterize the blessed days. Most importantly, we must keep praying and asking God to answer our prayers, and also pray that this year is a year of goodness, peace, security, and joy of the return of normal life.”
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