Filipino Muslims celebrate Eid'l Fitr in homes amid quarantine

Muslims in the Philippines celebrated Eid'l Fitr, the end of the month-long Ramadan, on Sunday quietly in their own homes. 

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, no gatherings and religious activities are allowed with some areas in the country under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) while others such as Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). The rest of the country is under general community quarantine (GCQ).

In Quiapo, the Golden Mosque is closed, according to Rod Vega in a report on Dobol B sa News TV.

Muslims said their prayers inside their homes and celebrated the breaking of the fast after Ramadan in the company of their family members.

Pagdiriwang Eid'l Fitr ng ilang pamilya sa Quiapo, Maynila, idinaan sa taimtim na pagdarasal sa kani-kanilang bahay. | via @Rodveg72 pic.twitter.com/eJbnDHAbWM

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 23, 2020

Usually, Muslims in Metro Manila would gather at the Rizal Park grounds for the traditional breaking of the fast on Eid'l Fitr.

This year, no such gathering was held at the park as people were advised to stay home to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos earlier issued an advisory encouraging Filipino Muslims to hold Eid'l Fitr prayers at home in observance of the government's quarantine rules.

In an advisory, NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan said those praying Eid at home may tune into IBC TV 13 or 15, which will air an Eid prayer and Khutba to be officiated by Dr. Julkipli Wadi at the University of the Philippines' Institute of Islamic Studies on May 24 at 7 to 8 a.m.

"Let us celebrate Eid'l Fitr with supplications to Almighty Allah under the spirit of unity and solidarity with the Filipino people and the Muslim world in the fight against COVID-19, and obey our government authorities who are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our people in general," Pangarungan said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 25, Monday as a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan, which is celebrated by the Muslim world for three days after the end of the month of fasting. —KG, GMA News