STATEMENT REGARDING THE OBSERVANCE OF EID-UL-ADHA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
For Immediate Release
July 20, 2020 | Dhu’l Qi-’dah 29, 1441 AH
Bismillah hirRahman nirRaheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Abundant Peace, Blessings and Salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (S)
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be with you
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As Eid-ul-Adha is upon us, we find ourselves ready to embrace the familiar challenge of keeping our loved ones safe. With this sense of responsibility comes the understanding of exercising every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which still maintains a presence in our communities.
The first 10 days of Dhu’l Hijjah, leading up to Eid are among the most blessed days of the year. Let us make the most of them by fasting the first 9 days including the Day of Arafah, increasing prayer, dhikr, takbeer and repentance, reading and reflecting on the Quran, increasing all good deeds, performing the Udhiyah/Qurbani sacrifice and thanking Allah for all our blessings.
Please consider the following as necessary measures to ensure a safe and blessed Eid, Inshallah:
1. PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE
* Masajid and Eid salaah management must familiarize themselves with and follow the most recent and
updated restrictions within their region regarding permission to hold indoor or outdoor prayers and
gathering size limits.
2. EID PRAYER
* Physical distancing of 2 metres apart must be maintained at all times.
* Wash your hands before leaving home and as soon as you return home. Sanitize your hands as you
enter and exit the prayer area.
* Non-medical, cloth face coverings or masks should be worn at all times by all in attendance of the Eid salaah, regardless of whether indoors or outdoors. Please follow public health guidance regarding how to safely wear, take off, store, reuse and dispose of your mask.
Each person should bring his or her own prayer mat.
No hugging, handshaking or kissing. Greet from a distance with your hand on your chest if you choose. Hug your family members and those in your social circle at home, to avoid confusing others and to allow people to enter and leave quickly.
Some managements are permitted to and are able to responsibly hold multiple Eid salaah based on their regional allowances. There should be a minimum of 30 minutes (15 minutes if outdoor) between the last person leaving from one prayer and the first person entering from the next, to allow adequate time for disinfection in between prayers.
Early and advanced registration for all attendees, with name, email address and telephone number for efficiency, and in case contact tracing is required by public health.
Traffic flow of persons should proceed in one direction only upon entry and exit.
Follow takbeerat online before you come to the masjid and recite takbeerat on your way to the masjid. There should be no sharing of the microphone and it should be led by one individual only. Attendees should whisper softly under their mask.
Once all are in attendance, the takbeerat should not be longer than 5 (five) minutes, the Eid salaah should not be longer than 10 (ten) minutes and the khutbah should not be longer than 10 (ten) minutes.
Mosques should continue to provide virtual programming and broadcasting of the khutbah to their congregants, for those unable to attend.
The following groups should pray Eid salaah at home and may follow their local masjid’s khutbah online. Religious exemptions for those unable to attend have been provided in fatwas by numerous fiqh bodies. This is critical for protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Any person with symptoms of or under isolation for COVID-19
Any person in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 2 weeks (and thereby should be under quarantine)
Any person who has travelled outside the province within the last 2 weeks
High risk groups (elderly or those with chronic medical conditions)
Any person unable to reliably wear a mask or due to medical conditions
Any person unable to attend Eid salaah due to lack of space or capacity issues
UDHIYAH/QURBANI
Consider ordering online and performing the sacrifice in underdeveloped countries.
If you decide to perform the sacrifice here locally, only one healthy family member per household should visit the farm, 2 metre distancing should be maintained at all times, do not go in large groups and everyone should wear a mask.
There is no increased risk of contracting COVID-19 from the sacrificed animal, based on our current knowledge.
Meat should be packaged, stored and refrigerated properly according to food hygiene protocols. Gloves and masks should be worn during packaging and for contactless distribution of meat packets.
CELEBRATING EID WITH OTHERS
You can hug or kiss and do not need to physically distance from anyone within your predefined social circle or household bubble.
If meeting others outside your social circle or household, wear a mask, meet them outdoors while maintaining physical distancing at all times and within regional gathering size limits. There are significant fines and penalties for anyone that is not respecting local public health recommendations, not to mention the risk posed to others’ lives.
Call or video conference with your distant loved ones, family and friends.
If the weather is hot, stay cool and hydrated, protect your skin and avoid the midday sun.
Remember to support and make dua for the vulnerable and those less fortunate.
Collectively, let’s ensure we continue to follow all the appropriate guidelines and recommendations, so we may all enjoy the festivities safely Inshallah. May Allah accept our supplications and sacrifice, and may the joys and blessings of Eid permeate our hearts, our homes and our communities. Ameen.
EID MUBARAK!