India Celebrates Eid-ul-Adha Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

India celebrated Eid-ul-Adha on Saturday amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Muslim community woke up to glimpses of devotees arriving at mosques, offering their prayers to make the second most important Islamic festival.

With lockdown restrictions eased in parts of the country, devotees were seen visiting mosques while maintaining social distancing and wearing masks as preventive measures to keep Covid-19 at bay. The mosque authorities at various places are ensuring body temperature check of the devotees and providing them with hand sanitiser.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion and hoped the "spirit of brotherhood and compassion be furthered".

"Eid Mubarak! Greetings on Eid al-Adha. May this day inspire us to create a just, harmonious and inclusive society. May the spirit of brotherhood and compassion be furthered," the prime minister tweeted.

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was seen offering prayers at his residence on Saturday morning. The minister wished everyone on the occasion and said that the pandemic has not dampened the spirits of the devotees.

"The world is facing the corona crisis but it has not dampened the spirits of people. People are praying today keeping their safety in mind. There is no lack of passion in offering prayers," Naqvi said.

With lockdown restrictions considerably eased in the national capital, several mosques, including Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi, held the prayers today on the auspicious occasion. Devotees on Saturday morning offered namaz at Delhi's Jama Masjid on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.