Thiruvananthapuram: Muslims in Kerala on Thursday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr - the festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan - amid restrictions imposed to check the spread of COVID-19.
Adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, the faithful made it a private and a closed-door affair.
Due to the rise in daily number of virus infection in the state, the state government and Muslim scholars had urged the faithful to offer prayers from home.
The government had allowed some relaxations in lockdown for buying food items in view of the Eid.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had appealed to the faithful to follow restrictions and conduct prayers related to the festival at home.
on Wednesday, Vijayan said Eid-ul-Fitr shares the message of humanity, unity and compassion.
"Let it help us to overcome the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Greetings to all of you for observing the month of Ramadan in tune with the Covid induced restrictions," he had tweeted.
As the moon was not sighted, the top Muslim clerics in Kerala on Tuesday had said Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in the state on May 13 - the day the 30-day fasting completed.
Last year also the Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr amid lockdown to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.
The state is under a full lockdown from May 8 to 16 in view of the rising cases in the second wave of COVID-19. The decision to impose the lockdown was announced after the state started reporting a record number of infections.
Eid on May 14 in others states
The festival will be celebrated on Friday across India barring Kerala.
Clerics in Delhi including Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari, said the moon was not sighted on Wednesday and hence the festival of Eid will be on May 14.
Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Mukarram Ahmed also announced that the moon was not sighted this evening.
Ruyat-e-Hilal Committee, Imarat-e-Sharaiyah-Hind, after its meeting announced that moon sighting was not reported from Delhi or any other part of the country, its secretary Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi said.
All religious leaders have appealed to the Muslims to adhere to COVID protocols and offer their Eid prayers at home.
(With PTI inputs.)
