Madhya Pradesh witnessed muted Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations on Monday.
Muslim faithfuls turned philosophical about the ritualistic Namaz in the confines of their homes due to the lockdown. "That is how Allah has ordained this time," said Mujahid Mazhar, who had returned from abroad in December and was looking forward to the home town celebrations.
The month preceding the festival had also passed without the usual buzz with the coronavirus threat casting its long shadow on the market. The celebratory hugs, so integral to the festival, were missing.
S.K. Muddin the national convenor of the RSS affiliated Muslim Rashtriya Manch based in Jabalpur, said that Muslims were rigidly following the lockdown rules. "The community kept up patience since day one of Ramzan till the Eid," he said.
The community has observed "Islam Dharm and Rashtriya Dharm", he added.
The Muslim faithfuls missed public prayers as Idgahs remained closed due to lockdown.
Bhopal, Burhanpur and Indore districts, which have a sizeable Muslim presence, have been in the Red Zone for the past two months. Old hands said that they have never seen such listless mood.
Old Bhopal is still steeped in Islamic tradition. But it hardly reflected the gaiety usually associated with the festival. Muslim clerics had, on the eve of the festival, appealed to the community to avoid congregations and offer prayers at home.
Senior journalist Rasheed Kidwai said that this was in adherence to the will of the God in happiness and adversities. He said this was the first Eid when streams of visitors were missing.
"It used to happen in the past, but in just some parts affected by strife or other adversity. It could possibly be the first time the community all over the world has been forced to shun public expressions of the festive spirit," said Kidwai.
( With inputs from IANS )