Most Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid el-Fitr this Sunday, the feast marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, clouded this year by containment measures to stem the pandemic of new coronavirus.
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This holiday, one of the most important on the Muslim calendar, is traditionally celebrated with prayers at the mosque, family visits and purchases of clothes, gifts or sweets. But this year, the celebrations must contend with the Covid-19 pandemic. Many countries have tightened restrictions after some loosening during Ramadan has led to higher infections, authorities say.
In France, the French Council of Muslim worship calls on believers "not to celebrate in mosques (closed for two months, note) the prayer of Eid El-Fitr" Sunday. "Everyone can do it at home and with the family," he says. The Great Mosque of Paris also recalls that it will not organize this prayer "given that the conditions of health security are not yet fully met".
From Egypt to Iraq, via Turkey and Syria, several countries have also prohibited collective prayers. Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest places in Islam, has instituted a full five-day curfew from Saturday.
In Mecca. - / AFP
The most affected country in the Gulf, the kingdom has seen the number of infections more than quadruple since the beginning of Ramadan, reaching around 68,000. Eid prayers will take place in two mosques in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina "without the faithful," authorities said on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia has restricted access to Mecca. - / AFP
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, will not be reopened to worshipers until after Eid, its governing body said.
In Lebanon, the highest Sunni religious authority has announced the reopening of mosques for Friday prayers only. The faithful will however be subject to various health checks, including a temperature measurement.
In Asia, Muslims rushed to the markets to do their shopping before the party, in defiance of the social distancing imposed by the authorities and sometimes defying attempts by the police to disperse the crowd.
Pakistan, which has yielded to religious pressure by allowing prayers at the mosque during Ramadan, has yet to announce a decision on Eid rallies.
In Kabul. MOHAMMAD ISMAIL / REUTERS
In Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, some are turning to smugglers and false certificates to circumvent the travel ban in other regions of the archipelago and join their relatives, according to the great annual migration at the end of Ramadan .
Iran, which has experienced the deadliest epidemic in the Near and Middle East, has asked its citizens to avoid traveling during Eid, which is due to take place in this predominantly Shia country, on Monday. Iraqi Shiite community.
In Tehran. - / AFP
The United Arab Emirates also tightened containment, with a night curfew starting at 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. during Ramadan. But that hasn't stopped residents from planning trips to luxury beachfront hotels in Dubai, Ajman or Ras Al-Khaimah.
