Thiruvananthapuram:
Keralites on Sunday celebrated a low-key Eid-ul-Fitr amid the coronavirus lockdown in the state as most of the faithful marked the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan by offering thanksgiving prayers at home.
The festival is being celebrated across Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, while the rest of the country will celebrate Eid on Monday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to all Keralites across the world.
State Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also extended his festival wishes to all the Keralites.
“May we also have the blessing to prevent and eliminate the COVID-19 disease,” Khan tweeted.
Vijayan said this year Ramzan is celebrated at a time when the world is going through “an unprecedented crisis and misery” because of pandemic COVID-19.
“Usual celebration during Ramzan is not there anywhere in the world due to the pandemic. Instead of offering prayers at mosques, which is important for Muslims, this time the prayers and the feast is performed in their homes.
Community leaders have taken this important decision to protect the interests of the society” he added.
The chief minister said Eid-ul-Fitr gives out a message of equality, tolerance and repentance.
The state government had earlier announced that the lockdown restrictions in the state onSunday will be relaxed in the view of Eid-ul-Fitr with shops selling essential items remaining open.
The State government had earlier declared that a complete shutdown would be observed in Kerala on Sundays in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
