Eid al Adha: Muted Bakrid Festivities, Social Distance At Jama Masjid

Eid al Adha 2020: Muslim devotees today offered namaz at Delhi's Jama Masjid on Eid Al-Adha also known as Bakrid. Unlike other years, Bakrid celebrations are low-key this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. In pictures from Jama Masjid, devotees were seen following COVID-19 guidelines and maintaining social distance. Temperature of people entering Jama Masjid were also checked with thermometer gun, as a precautionary measure.

"We have ensured all arrangements here. In fact, we have ensured a safe environment in several big and small mosques on this occasion. Namaz was offered at 6:05 am," Sanjay Bhatia, Deputy Commissioner of Police told news agency ANI.

#WATCH Delhi: Devotees offer namaz at Jama Masjid, on #EidAlAdha, today pic.twitter.com/8C2NfvLIJQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2020

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi offered prayer at home on Eid al Adha.

"I feel really good to be here on Bakrid. Everyone followed lockdown norms and Muslims had earlier offered namaz at their homes, they followed all the rules and regulations," ANI quoted a devotee as saying. Another devotee, Amanullah said, "We are maintaining social distance. Things have changed this year due to COVID-19.''

On Eid al Adha greetings poured in on Twitter. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Congress' Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Shah and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were some of the early ones who wished people on social media.

I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.

Id-ul-Zuha is a celebration of unswerving devotion to God and the boundless compassion and love the Almighty has for His creation. #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/Dx6P0u20jc

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) August 1, 2020

आप सभी को ईद अल-अज़हा मुबारक।

Greetings for Eid al-Adha. pic.twitter.com/CWytdhK7H2

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 1, 2020

I extend my greetings to all my Muslim brethren on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha 2020.
Considering the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 infection,I appeal to my brothers & sisters to restrict the celebration by offering prayers in the safety of their homes.
May God bless us all. pic.twitter.com/xC2vlgiRTh

— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 1, 2020

Warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of #EidAdhaMubarak. May the Eid bring happiness and strengthen the spirit of peace, brotherhood & compassion in society.#EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/Q2IOnKtEy8

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 1, 2020

The festival of Eid al-Adha is celebrated to commemorate Ibrahim's devotion to God. According to legend, Ibrahim had recurrent dreams of slaughtering his son Ismael, to fulfil the wishes of God. But just as he was about to do so Allah sent the archangel Jibreel or Gabriel, to place a sheep in the place of Ismael. It is said that Jibreel told Ibrahim that Allah was happy with his devotion and sent the sheep to be slaughtered instead of his son. 

Historically, since then the ritual of sacrificing a sheep or a goat and preparing a meal have been practised by Muslims. Traditionally, one portion of the cooked meat is distributed among the poor and the needy, the other is kept for people at home and the third is given to relatives. Eid al-Adha is all about sharing and caring for people in society.

Eid Mubarak!