In Photos: A Silent Eid in Kashmir Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

Eid marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan.

People offering Eid prayers while maintaining social distancing.

(Photo: Muneeb ul Islam)

Jammu and Kashmir celebrated a rather silent Eid this year, amid yet another lockdown imposed across the valley. But unlike the the previous lockdown that was imposed following revocation of Article 370, this time it’s coronavirus, that has shadowed celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr in the valley.

People offering Eid prayers while maintaining social distancing.

Locals donating to the underprivileged outside a mosque.

The festival was observed in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, while the rest of the country celebrated it on Monday.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in place, this Eid is way different from the usual. The Eidgahs (praying grounds) were seen deserted. Many people in the countryside, however, offered the morning Eid prayers in mosques with social distancing measures in place.

Deserted mosques a never-seen-before sight in Kashmir during Eid.

The markets were empty, public transport was missing. Road were marked with barricades and blockades, manned by government forces.

Markets were empty, roads blocked with barricades.

A child holds his father’s hands while coming out of a masjid.

There have been over 1,500 cases reported from Jammu and Kashmir so far.