A Picture Of Caution: Aerial Images Show An Empty Jama Masjid

A Picture Of Caution: Aerial Images Show An Empty Jama Masjid On The Occasion Of Eid 2020

Every year, the famous 17th century mosque, Jama Masjid, is filled to its capacity on Eid. But this year, things turned out to be very different, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Delhi's Jama Masjid remained closed for special Eid prayers after Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmad Bukahri, appealed to Muslims to offer Namaaz inside their homes.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, and it’s a joyous three-day celebration however, Old Delhi is a containment zone so, on the occasion of Eid, security was beefed in most parts.

People who live in Jama Masjid and around Chawri Bazar and Chandi Chowk area said they have never seen such a sight during Eid celebrations.

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On the day of Eid, dressed in new clothes, devotees offer prayers at mosques and then hug and greet relatives and friends. After the prayers, people visit each others’ homes with sheer khurma (a traditional dessert) as a customary ritual of the festival.

This year, the community observed the festival at home, with no public prayers, hugs, and daawats (get-togethers). 

The most striking shot was taken by a photographer who posted aerial shots of the mosque on Twitter.

“Eid Mubarak to all of you. A Historical Moment: This is a shot from 7.30 in the morning today (May 25, 2020) when the Eid prayer was offered at Jama Masjid. As seen the mosque is empty. Only the Shahi Imam and his family offered the prayer at the mosque,” wrote Sohaib Ilyas, the Twitter user who describes himself as a filmmaker and aerial photographer.

Speaking to The Hindustan Times. Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, the Shahi Imam of Masjid Fatehpuri, said:

“In 1993, when the curfew was imposed post-Babri Masjid demolition, we did not hold Eid prayers in the Fatehpuri mosque and encouraged people to offer prayers in their local mosques (Babri Masjid was demolished in December 1992). But this year it’s unprecedented. The mosque is closed since March due to the pandemic. We are requesting people to not only pray at their home but also avoid roaming on the streets and gatherings,” he told HT.

ANI

Some people in inner parts and narrow bylanes of the old city areas of Matia Mahal, Chandni Chowk, Ballimaran visited shops to buy food items and new clothes for their children, to celebrate Eid.

In Shaheen Bagh, which was a protest venue for a section of people opposed to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) earlier this year, a few shops were open as per the guidelines of the Delhi government in view of the lockdown.

Similarly, in areas such as Jamia Nagar and Batla House, only a few shops were opened and less activity was witnessed in markets on the eve of Eid.