UAE expatriates mark Eid keeping virus curbs in mind

Despite the fact that the traditional zest of Eid was missing, they praised the government for its measures to control the virus

- Jamil Khan

Expatriates from different nationalities in the UAE celebrated another Eid without exchanging traditional greetings but laden with all the religious fervour. They willingly embraced the rules on not greeting each other by hugging or shaking hands, so that social distancing was maintained under the government’s directions to adhere to the coronavirus SOPs (standard operating procedures).

The faithful performed special Eid prayers in their respective mosques as the government had already issued directives on worshippers keeping a distance between themselves during prayers and refraining from exchanging greetings the conventional way once the Eid prayers were over.

The imams and officials in mosques had been constantly warning worshippers that they should not step out of line where the instructions were concerned, so that the virus was kept in check.

Many residents, while talking to Gulf Today, said that since the pandemic last year, the true happiness of celebrating Eid was missing but they also hailed the government for taking all the measures on a war footing to protect the community.