Muslims celebrate Eid'l fitr in Manila, other parts of the country

Muslims visited the Golden Mosque in Quiapo early Thursday morning as part of the celebration of Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan or one month of fasting, according to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras.”

However, due to the implementation of health protocols amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the mosques were limited to accept only 20 percent of its capacity so that some devotees had to stay along nearby Globo de Oro Street.

“Pinagdarasal ko na matapos na ang ating pinagdadaanang mga pagsubok ngayon. Nakakalungkot talaga na hindi kami nakakapag-celebrate ng buong-buo,” Fai Abbas said.

(We prayed for the end of our trials right now. It’s really sad that we can’t celebrate wholeheartedly.)

The people were advised to follow social distancing measures as part of the health protocol to curb the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar and other high-ranking officials also joined the celebration in Quezon City.

As a gift, they brought a truckload of chicken, which was distributed to each household.

“Hindi dapat kayo nasa labas ng bahay. Nasa loob pa rin ng bahay,” Eleazar said.

(You’re not supposed to be outside the house. You should celebrate inside.)

Though visiting other relatives are part of the celebration of Eid’l Fitr, the Imam Council of the Philippines urged the public to use technology instead.

“Wag kayo pupunta sa bahay-bahay. Dapat ang gawin po natin ay magkaroon tayo ng kamustahan. Ibig sabihin ay gamitin natin ang cellphone,” Imam Council of the Philippines President Imam Ebrah Moxsir said.

(Don’t go house-to-house. What we need to do is greet each other. What I mean is, we should use cellphones.)

Meanwhile, health protocols were followed during the celebration of the important feast day in Ilagan City, and Isabela.

In Dipacula town in Aurora province, free face masks were distributed and a community pantry was set up for the people.

In General Santos City, police authorities monitored open mosques to control the volume of the crowd.

Meanwhile, fewer than normal went to the Grand Mosque in Koronadal City. The time given to worship also shortened.

Health protocols were also strictly enforced in the mosques in the Lanao del Norte and in Zamboanga City. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News