Social Activist Bhat Musaddiq Reyaz greets people on Eid-ul-Azha

Srinagar: Social Activist Bhat Musaddiq Reyaz greets people on the eve of Eid-Ul-Adha.Advice people to celebrate Eid with simplicity & encourage the use of masks & sanitisers in the context of COVID-19.

Eid-ul-Adha is one of the two most sacred festivals, celebrated by millions of Muslims all around the world. Also known as the festival of sacrifice or ‘Qurbani’, this year it will be celebrated on the 1st of August.

I request people to follow precautionary measures which are mentioned below:

• Practice physical distancing by strictly maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre between people at all times.

• If physical distancing cannot be achieved, wearing a fabric mask is recommended. It is critical to follow best practices on how to wear, remove and dispose of masks, and performing hand hygiene after removal.

• Use culturally and religiously sanctioned greetings that avoid physical contact, such as waving, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart.

• Prohibit large numbers of people gathering in public places associated with Eid activities, such as markets, shops and mosques. If allowed, a mechanism should be in place to regulate such activities and avoid gathering of people.

• Restrict social gatherings, both public and private, and encourage the use of technology for meeting and greeting people to mitigate transmission.

• Consider closing of entertainment venues, particularly indoor venues, during Eid to avoid the mass gathering of people.

Advice to high-risk groups

• Urge people who are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid attending events and follow the national guidance on follow-up and management of suspected cases of COVID-19.

• Urge individuals aged 60 years and older and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac disease, chronic lung disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, immunosuppression and cancer) not to attend gatherings, as they are at a higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

Mitigation measures for physical gatherings

The following measures should be applied to any gathering occurring during Eid al Adha, such as prayers, communal meals or gatherings.

• Adhere to physical distancing among attendees, both when seated and standing, through creating and assigning fixed places, including when praying, performing wudu (ritual ablutions) in communal washing facilities, as well as in areas dedicated to
shoe storage.

• Regulate the number and flow of people entering, attending, and departing from worship spaces, or other venues to ensure safe distancing at all times.

• Consider measures to facilitate contact tracing in the event that an ill person is identified among the attendees of the event.

Encourage healthy hygiene

• Ensure that handwashing facilities are adequately equipped with soap and water and provide alcohol-based hand-rub (at least 70% alcohol) at the entrance to and inside mosques.

• Ensure the availability of disposable tissues and bins with closed lids and disposable liners, and guarantee the safe disposal of waste.

• Encourage the use of personal prayer rugs to place over carpets.

When my arms can’t reach people close to my heart, I always hug them with my prayers. May Allah’s peace be with you. A very happy Eid Mubarak to you.