Hamza Rana, a Pakistani migrant, lives with five housemates in Sydney’s Lakemba, a suburb that houses a large Muslim population. Usually on Eid, he and his friends would go to the local mosque to offer their ritualistic Eid prayers and follow that up with a feast with guests at home.
But this year, due to stay-at-home orders in Sydney and Melbourne, Muslims like Mr Rana have had to scale down their Eid celebrations. Nobody can visit anyone to meet and greet on this festival.
Highlights:
- Muslims in NSW, Victoria celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in lockdown
- NSW chief health officer advised the community to offer prayers at home this Eid
- Islamic leaders advise the Muslim community to obey rules, follow COVID safety protocol
Addressing the state’s Muslim community on 18 July, New South Wales Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said, “I just want to reiterate that we are asking that prayers are only performed in your house. And please do not have visitors to your home, including family members, and do not visit others”.
This announcement was made in the wake of the continuing COVID-19 wave in Australia’s two most populous states. Over the last 24 hours, New South Wales has recorded 78 local COVID-19 cases while Victoria has recorded 13 cases.
However, Mr Rana is glad that he is able to share not only his house but also the festivities with his five housemates, which he says, feels festive unlike those people who live alone and might feel lonely at this time of the year.
Mr Rana told SBS Urdu that last night, he and his housemates spent their time watching Pakistani TV shows. In the morning, they all offered their Eid prayer in their lawn, which was led by Owais Mughal, one of the housemates.
Hamza Rana doing the barbecue. Source: Supplied by Raza Shah
This was followed by the partaking of some traditional sweets. Usually, when the men return home from the mosque after prayers, they are welcomed with Eid sweets.
Mr Mughal is not a formal imam of a mosque but he tried to create a similar environment at home due to the lockdown.
“Although the number of people offering prayers behind me was much less than that in a mosque on Eid, but it was still felt nice. We managed to offer the Eid prayers in our lawn and it was good to be able to do that together,” he told SBS Urdu.
Mr Mughal said that he had also memorised the Eid sermon, a tradition followed by imams in mosques on this day.
“We performed in the same way as we would in a mosque on this festival,” he added.
According to the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hajj, the 12th and last month of the lunar calendar. One of two major Islamic festivals, Eid is an occasion for Muslims around the world to celebrate with friends and family.
Traditional barbeque is popular on Eid day amongst the Muslim community. Source: Supplied by Raza Shah
Eid-ul- Adha is also an occasion to have a big feast, often a barbeque.
Sharing their plans about the feasting, Raza Shah, another Sydney resident said that he and his housemates plan to have a barbeque in their backyard in the evening.
Mr Shah also named a few traditional Pakistani Eid dishes, which he has prepared for his housemates to enjoy.
“Usually, we invite our friends for Eid dinner, but this time due to the lockdown, we are unable to do so. But we are enjoying with our housemates. After dinner, we will watch a movie together to conclude the festival,” he added.
Maulana Nizam-ul-Haq Thanvi is an imam from Queensland.
Maulana Nizam-ul-Haq Thanvi said in his Eid sermon that Islam preaches not to harm anyone. Source: Website Masjid Taqwah Brisbane, Qld
In his Eid sermon, he said that Islam does not allow you to harm anyone or create circumstances that can put anyone in danger.
“Muslims should follow the rules and regulations set out by their state and territory governments and pray at home instead of mosques,” Mr Thanvi told SBS Urdu.
In Sydney, Masjid-e-Quba’s Imam Dr Shabbir Usmani said that Eid is an occasion for performing good deeds.
“There are certain states where you can go to mosques to pray, but in New South Wales, mosques are closed so everyone should pray at home,” he told SBS Urdu.
Australia's Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed told that “all Australians face one of the toughest times in human existence”.
Australia's Grand Mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammad while giving sermon. Source: AAP
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