(DUBAI, United Arab Emirates) – Small teams of pilgrims celebrated on Friday one of the last rites of Islamic hajj as Muslims around the world marked the beginning of Eid al-Adha amid a global pandemic that has affected almost every facet of this year. pilgrimage and celebrations.
The last days of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia coincide with the 4 days of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice,” in which Muslims slaughter farm animals and distribute meat to the poor.
The pandemic has brought millions around the world closer to the breaking point of poverty, making it difficult for many to respect the devoted culture of buying livestock.
In Somalia, the value of meat has increased slightly. Abdishakur Dahir, a Mogadishu official, said he could not buy goats for Eid for the first time because of the effect of the virus on work.
“I can buy food for my family,” Dahir said. “We’re surviving for now. Life gets more complicated throughout the day.”
In some parts of West Africa, the value of a ram has doubled. Cattle sellers, accustomed to doing smart business in the days leading up to the holidays, say sales have declined and those who buy can’t much.
“The scenario is confusing because of coronavirus, it’s a complicated market,” said Oumar Maiga, a farm animal trader in Cote d’Ivoire. “We’re on a stage we’ve never noticed in the last few years.”
Hajj pilgrimage has also been particularly affected by the virus. Last year, some 2.5 million pilgrims participated; however, this year, only 1000 pilgrims already living in Saudi Arabia were able to make hajj.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health said there have been no cases of COVID-19 disease among this year’s pilgrims. The government has taken many precautions, adding evidence to pilgrims to detect the virus, tracking their movements with electronic bracelets and forcing them to quarantine before and after hajj. Pilgrims made up their minds after applying through an online portal and all had to be between 20 and 50 years old.
Just after Dawn on Friday, small teams of pilgrims, masked and physically remote, headed to Jamarat’s huge multi-story complex in the Mina region of the Saudi Valley. There, pilgrims throw pebbles into 3 giant columns. It is here that the Muslims tried to dissuade the prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham, from submitting to God’s will.
Muslims commemorate the terrible experience of Ibrahim’s religion by slaughtering farm animals and animals and distributing meat to the poor.
During the last days of the hajj, male pilgrims shave their heads and remove the white sponge clothes they wore during the pilgrimage. Women cut a small lock of hair as a sign of rebirth and non-secular renewal.
The hajj, which is not physically or spiritually, aims to bring greater humility and unity among Muslims. All Muslims are asked to do so once in a lifetime.
Sheikh Abdullah al-Manea, a member of the Supreme Council of Great Scholars of Saudi Arabia, used the hajj sermon on Friday to congratulate the kingdom’s leaders on their “wise decision” to restrict the number of pilgrims and human lives.
“We appreciate the positive role of Muslims around the world who have complied with the country’s regulations in the face of the spread of this virus, which leads to the Ion of Mecca and Medina,” said the sheikh.
Around the world, Muslims met with relatives or stayed at home to mark the start of Eid.
In the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the streets were largely empty due to a 10-day blockade imposed by the government to prevent further spread of the virus. Eid’s prayers in mosques have been cancelled.
“We were hoping that the curfew would be lifted in the Eid’sArray era. We were surprised that the era of the lockout includes the Eid holiday and more,” said Marwan Madhat, a coffee owner in Baghdad. “This will result in losses. “
Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates have also closed mosques to restrict the spread of the virus.
In Lebanon, Muslim faithful have prayed in mosques with maximum security, despite the partial closure imposed on Thursday that will continue until August 10. Rules.
In Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, others were allowed to attend Eid’s prayers in mosques according to strict fitness guidelines, adding bring their own prayer mats and pray several metres away. The faithful will have to wear a mask and will not be allowed to shake hands or hug each other.
The Indonesian government has also ordered that meat be delivered door-to-door to the deficient in long queues.
“This epidemic has not only completely replaced our tradition, but has also led more and more people into poverty,” said Agus Supriatna, an Indonesian employee who fired this year because of the pandemic.
Muslim leaders in Albania and Kosovo asked others to “be careful” on their festivities to prevent transmission of the virus, adding a restricted circle of family visits.
A few days before the holiday, Alioune Ndong in Senegal said he didn’t know how he would place the cash for his family’s party. He called on the Senegalese government to struggling families like his.
“COVID-19 has exhausted my money,” said Ndong, a tailor in the city of Mbour.
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Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia; Fay Abuelgasim in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania; Abdi Guled in Nairobi, Kenya; Lekan Oyekanmi in Lagos, Nigeria; Abdoulie John in Mbour, Senegal; Hilaire Zon in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Babacar Dione and Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal, and Ali Abdul-Hassan in Baghdad and Hassan Ammar in Beirut contributed to this report.