Srinagar, July 31 (KNO): Nine year-old Aamir Shafiq couldn’t believe that this Eid-ul-Adha he cannot go out to enjoy the perks of Eidi (a gift or pocket-money usually given to children) with his little friends to buy his favorite gun-toy and other play-toys.
Two days before the holy Muslim festival, the parents of Aamir enlightened him about the ongoing situation due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
It was an upsetting fact for Aamir when he was asked to refrain from the usual activities on Eid-ul-Adha, which will be celebrated on August 01.
“I used to purchase gun-toys, balloons and a number of fire-crackers to enjoy with my neighboring friends, however, this Eid, my Mom asked me to refrain from the usual activities,” he told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
Aamir said that he has never celebrated Eid-ul-Adha at home but this year, he cannot enjoy the festival with his little buddies.
Aamir’s father, Shafiq Ahmad while narrating the ordeals of the ongoing situation said that on the eve of Eid, he usually along with his two kids and wife used to purchase new clothes, baked cookies and sweets and on the day of Eid, “I used to take my children to parks and other gift shops,” he said.
The pandemic has not only victimized Aamir but almost all the children across the globe that usually used to enjoy and celebrate the festival in different ways.
Another 10-year-old kid, Farhaan says that the grim situation of Eid-ul-Adha is not that different from Eid-ul-Fitr, however, it was not that deserted as it appears it would be this time.
“I really don’t know as to how I will celebrate the Eid by staying indoors but the way I am being explained about the grim situation of COVID-19; I can imagine the deserted parks and closed shops and ultimately no-fun on this day,” Farhaan said.
“In the morning, I used to visit friends at their home and offer Eid greetings to his family too. Then my friend and I used to purchase toys and play in our backyard till evening, we used to go to the park on my friends bicycle,” he said.
Farhaan in a low tone said that he is not sure as to whether he can enjoy that much at home this time or not.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, people amid pandemic preferred to offer the Eid prayers at home, either individually or in small groups comprising family members.
The kids say that they will miss the usual practice of waking-up early and rushing to the Masjids to offer the congregation prayers.
“There was a time when I couldn’t sleep whole night in the joy of waiting for Eid, but this year, I feel like I am being caged somewhere in a jail. I miss the excitement and the joy which I used to have earlier before the Pandemic,” he said—(KNO)