Subdued Eid for twin cities
Murree and recreational areas remained closed
A locked gate and closed ticket booth seen outside Japan Park in Islamabad on Tuesday. PHOTO: ZAFAR RAJA/EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
Residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi celebrated Eidul Fitr in a subdued manner with most areas for public recreation such as parks, restaurants and the popular destination of Murree closed for visitors.
Instead of mass gatherings with people wearing colourful and traditional clothes, residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi celebrated Eidul Fitr at their homes, primarily owing to the lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Usual festivity which is seen during Eidul Fitr was absent with the overall atmosphere in the city bland.
In the federal capital and the garrison city, the first day of Eid began with large congregations for Eidul Fitr prayers, though officials ensured that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of Covid-19 was observed, particularly spacing between worshipers.
The largest congregations were seen at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and Liaquat Bagh, Eid Gah Sharif, and the Gawalmandi Eid Gah in Rawalpindi.
While not everyone wore a face mask, people kept distance between each other and after the prayers, refrained from hugging and shaking hands with each other, as is customary. Many brought prayer mats with them to pray.
The police had made strict security arrangements and worshippers were only allowed to enter the prayer grounds after getting their body temperatures screened and their hands sanitized.
No recreation
The district administration of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had closed all parks and zoos and other places where a large number of people can gather.
Unable to gain entry to these recreational spots, many people were seen parking their cars by the roadside and lounging or playing in the unpatrolled green belts of the federal capital.
Murree closed
The hill station of Murree, which is a popular destination for tourists during the hot summer months and on long holidays such as Eid, wore a deserted look during the three days of Eid after the district administration closed it to prevent the pandemic virus from spreading.
Long queues of cars were seen trying to go to the hill station, however, police officials had barricaded the highway and some 16 other routes which lead to the destination. Only natives of Murree were allowed to pass. Hundreds of other motorists, with their families in toe, had to turn back. Saddar SP Ziauddin said that the restrictions were imposed to prevent Covid-19 from spreading, which has already infected some 1,474 people in Rawalpindi district the coronavirus situation and ultimately for the betterment of the people. He added that there were no restrictions on the movement of locals, provided they prove their identity.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2020.
Residents of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi celebrated Eidul Fitr in a subdued manner with most areas for public recreation such as parks, restaurants and the popular destination of Murree closed for visitors.
Instead of mass gatherings with people wearing colourful and traditional clothes, residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi celebrated Eidul Fitr at their homes, primarily owing to the lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Usual festivity which is seen during Eidul Fitr was absent with the overall atmosphere in the city bland.
In the federal capital and the garrison city, the first day of Eid began with large congregations for Eidul Fitr prayers, though officials ensured that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent the spread of Covid-19 was observed, particularly spacing between worshipers.
The largest congregations were seen at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and Liaquat Bagh, Eid Gah Sharif, and the Gawalmandi Eid Gah in Rawalpindi.
While not everyone wore a face mask, people kept distance between each other and after the prayers, refrained from hugging and shaking hands with each other, as is customary. Many brought prayer mats with them to pray.
The police had made strict security arrangements and worshippers were only allowed to enter the prayer grounds after getting their body temperatures screened and their hands sanitized.
No recreation
The district administration of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had closed all parks and zoos and other places where a large number of people can gather.
Unable to gain entry to these recreational spots, many people were seen parking their cars by the roadside and lounging or playing in the unpatrolled green belts of the federal capital.
Murree closed
The hill station of Murree, which is a popular destination for tourists during the hot summer months and on long holidays such as Eid, wore a deserted look during the three days of Eid after the district administration closed it to prevent the pandemic virus from spreading.
Long queues of cars were seen trying to go to the hill station, however, police officials had barricaded the highway and some 16 other routes which lead to the destination. Only natives of Murree were allowed to pass. Hundreds of other motorists, with their families in toe, had to turn back. Saddar SP Ziauddin said that the restrictions were imposed to prevent Covid-19 from spreading, which has already infected some 1,474 people in Rawalpindi district the coronavirus situation and ultimately for the betterment of the people. He added that there were no restrictions on the movement of locals, provided they prove their identity.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2020.