With the Moon Sighting Committee of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announcement on Saturday that Monday, May 2, 2022, is the first day of Eid Al Fitr in Qatar, today Qatar and most of the Arab and Islamic countries are celebrating the blessed Eid Al Fitr.
What makes this year’s Eid different from the Eid in the previous two years is, that this year’s Eid comes at the time the spread of Coronavirus has significantly declined. Whereas the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported 42 and 53 new confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the past 48 hours. These are numbers of cases that cannot be compared to what was being reported in less than a year ago, not only in Qatar, but in the whole world.
This year Eid is also comes as the country has lifted most of the sweeping health restrictions, including social distancing, where all forms of gathering was banned in order to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
Although there is no official announcement for the end of all forms of Covid-19 related health restriction, this year Eid is being observed in normalcy and celebration are taking place in common traditional manner that people used to. Thanks to Allah, all types of gatherings in closed and open areas are allowed and celebrations will take place as usual in various places including Doha Corniche , public parks, beaches and malls.
That is why the joy of Eid this year is associated with the joy of getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic atmosphere.
Eid celebrations will not only be confined to common practices of the rituals of Eid Al Fitr which begin by performing the Eid prayer in mosques or open spaces, wearing new clothes for Eid, holding banquets, and sacrifices are presented to celebrate this occasion, but also social gathering.
On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, loved ones, family members and neighbours meet and exchange visits, which are a form of social communications that strengthen the ties with their families and kinship and share traditional and delicious food and sweets that specially prepared for the occasion.
We have to be grateful to Allah for being able to come back together during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and Eid Al Fitr which is a festival to show gratitude to Allah for the help and strength Allah gave us throughout the month of Ramadan and entire life. As well, Eid is an occasion to show gratitude Allah for enabling us to do, at least in a greater measure than we have been over the past couple of years. It is time for excitement and grateful acts.
