'Homely' Celebrations As Muslims Nationwide Usher In Eid-ul-Fitr In New Normal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Muslims in the country today celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr in the so-called new normal to thwart the COVID-19 infection, without the usual congregational prayers in mosques, open house and visits to relatives and grave sites. Unlike previous years, celebrations were scaled down due to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) enforced to contain the outbreak, which among others, forced many to remain in the cities after balik kampung (return to hometowns) plans were shelved due to an inter-state travel ban. Many were also mindful of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the CMCO, among others limiting house visits to within the state and in groups of not more than 20 besides having to skip the customary grave-site visits, a norm during Eid. The most apparent routine change this year was perhaps the absence of Eid-ul-Fitr congregational prayers in mosques and surau, as some states have either prohibited this, or limited the congregation to very small numbers with strict social distancing enforced, as part of efforts to curb the deadly disease. Prayers were performed with family members at home instead, who then opted to spend their first day of Eid-ul-Fitr in closed-door celebrations instead of hosting traditional open house gatherings. -- BERNAMA