Kashmir celebrates Eid under curfew

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Kashmir were a low-key affair on Thursday as the faithful marked the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan by offering the thanksgiving prayers in small congregations at local mosques by observing social distancing in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

No Eid prayers were offered for the fourth consecutive time at the major mosques and shrines of Kashmir as police enforced a strict curfew in most parts of the valley, including Srinagar city, officials said.

All photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com

IMAGE: A view of closed Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

IMAGE: Security personnel outside the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

People offered the Eid prayers in small congregations at local mosques, mostly early in the morning, officials added.

IMAGE: A policeman stands guard at a deserted Eidgah in Srinagar.

IMAGE: Men and children observe social distancing while offering Eid prayers at a residential building in Srinagar.

At many places, the police asked the mosque management committees not to use loudspeakers and to conclude the prayers quickly.

IMAGE: People offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr in Srinagar.

IMAGE: Kashmiri women offer Eid prayers at a house in Srinagar.

The valley continues to remain under a lockdown in the wake of a surge in the number of coronavirus cases. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed across the valley on Wednesday.