Muslim community left "deflated and disappointed" as new lockdown rules curtail EID celebrations

The announcement has been likened to that of cancelling Christmas, as it came just hours before Eid-al-Adha began today.

The new rules, which came into effect from midnight, bans people in the restricted areas of West Yorkshire from meeting each other inside their homes or in gardens following a spike in virus cases.

Families within the Muslim community had already made preparations to welcome other family members to observe the tradition on the ending of the month long Ramadan fasting and Qari Asim MBE, a senior Imam at the Makkah Mosque, said the timing had been poor and there had been a lack of communication.

He is also Chair of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board and added that the Muslim community, despite the disappointment, was committed to working with the government to help save lives and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mr Asim said: "EID is a time of celebration when we come together with friends and family so it is disappointing to hear the news on the eve of EID that there is going to be lockdown in northern towns. Some have prepared to welcome other family members so the timing has been poor and there has been a lack of communication.

"That has dampened the spirit of EID but from an Imam's perspective we have been urging mosques and the Muslim community to continue with their celebrations and do it in a safe and respectful manner."

He said mosques had continued with social distancing and many of them had implemented the wearing of face coverings inside them before it was made mandatory.

Mr Asim added: "It is the right decision because we want to save lives and the Muslim community is committed to working with the government to save lives but the timing could have been better communicated."

The Muslim Council of Britain's secretary general, Harun Khan, condemned the Government for making the announcement at "shockingly short notice".

He said: "With the first day of Eid being today, for Muslims in the affected areas it is like being told they cannot visit family and friends for Christmas on Christmas Eve itself. Whilst the safety of communities is of paramount importance, as has remained the case from the very outset of this crisis, so is effective communication delivered in a timely fashion.

"Failure to communicate makes it difficult for communities across the country to continue working together to minimise the spread of the virus, whilst eroding trust in the ability of authorities to steer our course as we tackle the Covid-19 crisis."

When asked on BBC's Today programme whether the measures were announced late on Thursday night to stop Eid celebrations from taking place, Matt Hancock said: "No, my heart goes out to the Muslim communities in these areas because I know how important the Eid celebrations are.

"I'm very grateful to the local Muslim leaders, the imams in fact, across the country who've been working so hard to find a way to have Covid-secure celebrations. For instance celebrating Eid in parks where there's more space available and of course outdoors is safer than indoors."

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Laura Collins