Coronavirus: Muslims across Asia mark subdued, socially distant Eid al-Adha

Indonesian worshippers were advised to bring their own prayer mats, while some Malaysian mosques cancelled the ritual of slaughtering livestock

Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s command

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Muslims pray spaced apart as a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak during an Eid al-Adha prayer at a mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: AP

Published: 8:25pm, 31 Jul 2020Updated: 8:28pm, 31 Jul 2020

Muslims across Asia, taking precautions against the novel coronavirus such as wearing face masks and temperature checks, performed prayers on Friday to mark the festival of Eid al-Adha in mosques with reduced capacity as well as on the streets.

In Indonesia, worshippers were advised to maintain social distancing during the prayers as the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country struggles to contain the spread of the virus.

Indonesia’s religious ministry also asked mosques to shorten ceremonies this year, while many mosques cancelled the ritual of slaughtering livestock and distributing meat to the community.

Worshippers line up for temperature check before entering a mosque in Jakarta. Photo: EPA-EFE

Instead the donated sheep, goats and cows will be killed in abattoirs to mark the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at God’s command.

“This year’s Eid al-Adha is very different from previous years because we need to follow health protocols as we perform prayers, like maintaining social distancing,” said Devita Ilhami, 30, who was at the Sunda Kelapa mosque in Jakarta.