Lanao del Sur’s coronavirus task force suspends Eid’l Fitr mass gatherings

Lanao del Sur’s coronavirus task force has suspended mass gatherings and congregations during Eid’l Fitr to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The suspension of the mass gatherings to celebrate Eid’l Fitr is for the protection of the residents of Lanao del Sur,” said Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., chair of the Lanao del Sur Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Adiong signed Lanao del Sur IATF-EID Resolution 6 suspending mass gatherings to celebrate the end of Ramadan. This was done after consultations with the Ulamah Councils of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City.

The provincial task force held the consultations after the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) IATF-EID called on all local government units in the region to consult with religious leaders on the conduct of this year’s Eid’l Fitr congregation.

The resolution enjoined all Muslims to just celebrate in a manner befitting the occasion without sacrificing minimum health standards.

“This year’s Eid’l Fitr congregation prayers shall be performed together with our respective immediate families, privately, at home,” the resolution said.

Adiong said it is important not to hold mass gatherings at this time to prevent superspreader events.

Lanao del Sur is under the least strict general community quarantine. As of May 11, it had 143 active COVID-19 cases.

Malacañang declared May 13, Thursday, as a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr. The feast is traditionally celebrated for 3 days.

Muslims celebrate Eid’l Fitr to thank Allah for the fruitful fasting month of Ramadan, and to remind themselves of the lessons of fasting: obedience to God and compassion for the poor and hungry. – Rappler.com