Image credit: Hazem Abdel Samad in 2017

The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed a lot about our lives over the past two years. From work to study to social lives, every aspect of our daily living has been affected by the ongoing pandemic. These days, with Ramadan ending and Eid Al-Fitr being just around the corner, we are reminded yet again of how much things have changed since the emergence of the Coronavirus.

Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr is a 3-day holiday celebrated by Muslims across the globe. It takes place on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During this time, Muslims celebrate having spent an entire month fasting from dawn to dusk by eating good food, buying new clothes, and gathering together to celebrate.

Eid Al-Fitr is known as the time when families come together to share gifts and spend precious time in each other’s company. On the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, it is a common sight for Muslims to gather at mosques at dawn to perform Eid prayers, which include a sermon followed by vocal congregational prayers. Usually, you can hear the chants of Muslim prayers echoing throughout the morning.

People buy new clothes especially for the event, wearing them throughout the three days of Eid. Families enjoy great food, most notably kahk, the Eid Al-Fitr delicacy. Some families gather to bake kahk, while others simply buy it from local bakeries; the sight of crowded bakeries during the last few days of Ramadan is not an uncommon scene. Cinema even becomes a part of Eid celebrations in Egypt, with new movies being released especially for the event. You will also see friends and families gathered in public gardens, walking by the Nile, or even gathered at some beaches, finding joy in each other’s company. But that was before…

Unfortunately, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, things have changed drastically. Last year, in 2020, Eid came at a time of lockdown, meaning it was difficult for many even to see their families, let alone perform the common traditions associated with this time. Scenes of people gathering together in celebration were quickly replaced with empty streets, and people were forced to stay home to protect themselves and those they cared about most.

This year, it appears that things are looking similar, with another lockdown already being announced. People are unable to travel, unable to see their family members or friends, and unable to take part in public activities without restrictions.

But, just because things are different doesn’t mean celebrations can’t take place. Close families who live together can still have small celebrations, children can still buy and wear their new clothes, people can still eat Kahk and good food, and kids can still receive their Edeya. COVID-19 has changed things, but that doesn’t mean it has put an end to our celebrations. We can still find new ways to celebrate during these novel circumstances and make the most of what we’ve got now. So, celebrate in whatever way you can!

Eid Mubarak!