'Say no to mass prayers' UAIP president Maulana Harun Rashid Kashimi

Fitra for the poor of all communities suggested

EID MESSAGE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With a view to maintaining social distancing and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, many individuals and organizations belonging to the Islamic community in Assam have appealed to the community members to hold Eid prayers indoors with family members, not to crowd in the market in the name of shopping for the Eid and not to confine fitra only among the Islamic community.

Upper Assam Imam Parishad (UAIP) president Maulana Harun Rashid Kashimi and senior advocate Rameez Rahman of the Gauhati High Court have appealed to the Islamic community in the State to hold Eid prayers indoors with family members. The duo has also urged the community members not to be misled if any maulanas or muftis instigate them to hold mass prayers at Idgahs. Both have made it crystal clear that in the current situation arising out of coronavirus, it is necessary to obey the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government and to maintain social distancing, at all cost.

On spending money in the name of buying new dresses for Eid, the Imam and the senior advocate said that "Bihu has not been celebrated in Assam this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Such a gesture from the greater Assamese community deserves respect from all, and to reciprocate this gesture let the people belonging to the Islamic community in the State opt not to buy new dresses for Eid and give the money to the poor as fitra." They have also made it clear that the people of the community should not confine fitra to the poor belonging to Islamic community only. The fitra should be given generously to the poor belong to any faith as many people in the State might have been starving due to the lockdown. Fitra is gifts in cash or kinds given to the poor by the Muslims during the month of Ramzan so as to let the poor have an iftar.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Minority Students' Union (AAMSU), Nagaon unit has also appealed to the district administration to take measures not to allow people to crowd in the markets in the name of shopping for Eid. The students' body has also urged the community members not to create unnecessary crowd.

The Daligaon Idgah Managing Committee has also appealed to the people in Chirang district not to hold mass prayers and not to go for shopping during this Eid.

AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal also appealed to the people belonging to the Islamic community not to crowd unnecessarily during Eid. 

Also Read: Assam COVID-19 Cases Rise to 185; Fourteen more test Positive