As Muslims are getting ready to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on Sunday or Monday, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has urged mense to practice social distancing and stay home on labarang and have virtual gatherings instead.
“The Western Cape is in the exponential phase with the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. Already there are reports of some hospitals filling up rapidly with critically ill Covid-19 (patients). We have seen a younger spectrum of people dying compared with international figures,” the MJC said.
In line with level four lockdown regulations, which prohibits large gatherings, the MJC has requested that people don't gather at the moon sighting points as is customary and that families stay home on Eid and connect using technology.
“We recommend that the community tune in to their television or radio on Saturday evening to learn whether the moon for Shawaal has been sighted and which day Eid ul-Fitr will be.
File picture. No mass boekas: MJC urges people to eat at home this Eid
“Eid can potentially become a superspreading event which (can) result in many more people dying, especially if people disobey lockdown regulations and start visiting each other at home.
“Guidance for performing Eid Salaah at home has already been given… we encourage the community to participate in the collective Takbir by standing on your stoep as a family and making Takbir as a community.”
The MJC has also encouraged people to have virtual gatherings and “use technology to create special family moments."
"Eat separately in your own home (by) joining virtually using (your) phone, Zoom, WhatsApp and other technologies. This Eid let us remain socially connected by staying physically apart.”