Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, has appealed Prime Minister Imran Khan to extend the Eid holidays. He said many people perform sacrificial duties on the third day as well.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Mufti Muneeb said traditionally Eid was a three-day celebration.
Last week, the federal government had announced three-day holidays, from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2, on account of Eid-ul-Adha. According to the notification, the second day of Eid would be the last holiday while Eid’s third day [Monday] was notified as a working day.
“People belonging to the middle class often offer the sacrifice on the third day. They get a better deal from the butchers from the first and second day,” he said in the press conference.
Picture Credit: AFP
However, the first two days of Eid will likely fall on Saturday and Sunday which are weekly offs in most organizations of Pakistan including the government offices. Many even said that the government had essentially given just one day holiday [of Hajj] as Saturday and Sunday are already offs in the country.
Guidelines for Eid-ul-Adha
These limited holidays are also an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The government had issued detailed guidelines for the mitigation of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 during the period of Eid-ul-Azha. The government believes it’s a time when a surge of cases is expected if precautionary measures are not ensured.
Moreover, directions are issued for the general public, buyers or sellers of animals, and local administration, regarding social distancing, the slaughter of animals, and Eid prayers.
The authorities have strictly instructed people to minimize travel during the Eid holidays. Eid is falling in the peak period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan.
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