Cuttack : The holy occasion of Bakr Eid or Eid ul-Adha is going to be subdued affair this year owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases and a lockdown in place. Eid falls on July 31/August 1 this year.
A preparatory meeting was held today at DCP Prateek Singh’s office which was attended by several senior police officials, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) officials and senior members of the local Muslim community.
Singh urged to celebrate Bakr Eid at their homes and refrain from offering collective namaaz to which the community readily agreed to. DCP made the request while pointing out the provisions of the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the State government on celebrating festivals.
Accordingly, no more than five people can offer namaaz at one place and the celebration will be restricted to respective homes. The tradition of offering sacrifice will also be done at homes where such facility will be available.
Obliging to the police’s request, Syed Zabiullah said that the celebration will be subdued this year. “We can not cancel the celebration owing to the traditions but will tone down the festivities because of the pandemic. The Cuttack Police and CMC will share the detailed guidelines with us and we have decided to fully cooperate.”