MUTED EID CELEBRATIONS AS LEADERS URGE CAUTION

MIDDLESBROUGH'S Muslim community leaders have reminded the public to enjoy Eid safely and responsibly.

Advice has been issued to follow current Government guidance around social distancing, maintaining small groups, hand sanitising and making sure people organise their vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

Eid, taking place tomorrow and also called Eid Al-Fitr, is the celebration to mark the feast of the breaking of the fast of the month of Ramadan.

Mohammed Asif, Chairman of Al Mustafa Centre & Covid Community Champion, said: "All the local mosques are consistent with their messaging that we are not out of woods with this virus. We'll keep Eid celebrations a muted affair to ensure that we play our role with a sense of responsibility.

"Mosques are putting on additional Eid congregation prayers to accommodate smaller groups and enable social distancing. Working with local partners we've ensured that hand sanitisation and face covering are available to all during the congregation prayers inside the mosques."

Gohar Ihsan, Chairperson of Middlesbrough Central Mosque, said: "Normally we have a mass gathering for Eid prayers, however we've made the decision to facilitate smaller socially distanced and Covid secure prayer gatherings at the Mosque.

"We are thankful to Age UK (Teesside) for sharing some of their surplus PPE supplies to ensure we can keep our congregation members safe.

"The collaboration and partnership working between local public and voluntary organisations has been amazing during the pandemic. We aim to build on this and take some positives out of what's been a very difficult period for us all."

Adalat Khan, Chairman of Radio Ramadan, added: "Throughout the holy Month of Ramadan, our messages on Radio Ramadan has been to encourage the community members to adhere to the government guidance regarding social distancing and face coverage and make vaccination a priority especially for those clinically vulnerable.

"Please continue to support the national effort, keep social mixing to the minimum. Let's get through this critical phase in the road map with so we can safely get back to some normality." 

ENDS

Press Notice 6483. 12/05/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

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