Eid al-Adha occurs at the end of Hajj, the pilgrimage to the Kabba in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. On the tenth day of Eid al-Adha, sheep are sacrificed in Mecca to symbolize Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice as revealed in the Qur’an. The meat from these sheep is then donated to support those in need as pilgrims complete their Hajj.
This year however, Eid al-Adha is going to be a whole different affair. With the world in the midst of a Pandemic, precautions against the spread corona virus are preventing some aspects of the Islamic Festival from being celebrated in the usual way.
So what is going to be different about Eid al-Adha this year?
The heart of the celebration of Eid, or rather any Celebration regardless of faith, is Community. From festive dinners with friends and families to endless gift-giving, Eid is an opportunity to connect with loved ones. Older family members shower the young members of their family with money, gifts, and heartwarming memories.
Last year, before the era of social distancing, Eid al-Adha was celebrated in big groups, with endless hugs and smiles being shared. A lot has changed this year for both the Old and Young.
One of the biggest threat of spreading the virus is the tradition of communities gathering at mosques for prayers. Although Mosques have opened up and will allow congregations in smaller numbers, the virus is on the minds of worshipers, and some are opting out of going to the mosque for Eid prayers this year.
Although the pandemic may have limited Muslims’ celebration of Eid al-Adha, let’s not lose spirit of Celebration. In the west, communities are opting for virtual prayers and hosting Virtual Celebrations. Greet your loved ones over video-chats, and if you cannot sacrifice a goat this year, use the funds to donate towards charity. There are many families and communities who have been struck by this unprecedented crisis and are finding it hard to manage rations or lack protective gear to stay safe. Think about how you can help them.
This Eid will also be different for children, who in their own little ways are also trying to embrace the changes COVID-19 has brought about. Explaining to the young ones how to cultivate love and joy around them will create an air of appreciation and realization that things shouldn’t be taken for granted. Encouraging them to be grateful for all of the gifts God has given them and helping them overcoming the fears sparked by COVID-19 will help them feel a sense of selflessness and responsibility.
They may still miss the family meals and the hugs and kisses from relatives, so here is an idea: Ask children to help you set up a “Hug Curtain” made of plastic. This way, while kids (and older family members) are made to socially distance from visiting relatives and friends, they can still interact with each other.
You can also create and atmosphere of Eid at home by asking them to help with home decorations, dressing the up in their best clothes and letting them assist in making their favorite meals.
Most definitely, although there will be an undeniable longing for communal gatherings these novel ways of interaction during Eid al-Fitr serve as a reminder that community persists, even in the face of hardship.
Eid Mubarak Everyone! Stay Safe!
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