COTABATO CITY –– The end of the holy month of Ramadan is traditionally observed with congregational prayers, after which family and friends gather around a feast.
But for this year, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Abu Huraira Udasan told Muslims to offer their Eid’l Fitr prayers at home, instead of going to the mosques.
This is part of measures to help contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even as the national government has decreed the easing down of quarantine in low-risk areas, including the Bangsamoro region.
Eid’l Fitr marks the end of the month-long Ramadan, during which Muslims fast.
Mosques have been closed since March this year due to the pandemic, and would likely remain so beyond Ramadan.
Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid’l Fitr will be either on May 23 or May 24.
In observance of Eid’l Fitr, President Duterte has declared May 25 as a regular holiday.
The updated guidelines released by the Bangsamoro Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 stated that religious gatherings are suspended in the region until further notice.
The Bangsamoro Mufti, through the Regional Darul Ifta, and other religious authorities shall, from time to time, issue guidelines on the conduct of religious practices and ceremonies, particularly those involving mass gatherings and close contacts, the regional IATF said.
“Our fight against COVID-19 is still not over. We still have a long way to go. We still need to further strengthen our cooperation,” Asnin Pendatun, Bangsamoro cabinet secretary said.
“It would be difficult if we experience a second or third wave of infections. Our frontliners are already exhausted; they have sacrificed a lot to keep us safe (from the virus), so let us keep to the precautions,” Pendatun added.
The Bangsamoro region has 11 COVID-19 cases, three of whom have died, and six have recovered.