Muslims in the GTA celebrate Eid for the second time during the pandemic
Posted May 13, 2021 10:29 pm.
Last Updated May 13, 2021 10:38 pm.
Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for the second year in a row, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced mosques to close and families to get together virtually.
The ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’ began at sunset Wednesday night — marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Virtual celebrations come as the provincewide stay-at-home order has been extended for an additional two weeks until at least June 2.
Several online celebrations took place in the city on Thursday, including one at the Islamic Institute of Toronto and the Danforth Islamic Centre, where Toronto Mayor John Tory attended.
“It is all we can do at a time when you continue to make sacrifices, both in terms of the inability to come even for Friday prayers when it’s not Ramadan time, but all the time,” Tory said.
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NDP MPP for Scarborough Southwest, Doly Begum, said there are so many values of Ramadan.
“Endurance is one of them that I felt like I’ve been reflecting on throughout the month,” Begum said.
Pleasure to virtually mark #Eid this morning with the Danforth Islamic Centre.
Great to celebrate the end of #Ramadan with our local Muslim community here in Toronto.
Eid Mubarak, Toronto! pic.twitter.com/psmpmDBd3y
— John Tory (@JohnTory) May 13, 2021
At some local mosques there was a drive-thru prayer line where goodie bags were given to kids.
Celebrations were also held worldwide, including in the embattled Gaza Strip, where the call to prayer echoed over pulverized buildings and heaps of rubble as Israeli warplanes continued to pound the territory in the worst outbreak of violence since the 2014 war.
Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza, urged the faithful to pray at home.
With files from The Associated Press
