Eid Mubarak! Mumbaikars are marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan with low-key, at-home feasts

Lunch at Sabik Khalid`s house in 2021 will be similar to the one in 2020. Photo: Sabik Khalid

From a colourless Holi to a quiet Gudi Padwa, Covid-19 has changed the way we bring in festivals. It is no different for Eid, the end of the holy month of Ramzan when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, which is being celebrated across the city today. Families will be choosing safety over pomp in these times, and will indulge in feasts inside their own homes rather than getting together with relatives and friends.

Having been a part of large family festivities in the past, Thane-based Daniya Fakih says the last two Eid celebrations have been different for her. Most have not been able to come together at all. "Celebrations are a little low-key for us this year but I'm planning to make the most of it," she explains. "Usually, the family gets together for breakfast and stays till lunch. We would start early in the morning and prepare for the meals, dress up, and click pictures too."

2020 was no different and the 29-year-old dentist is quick to reminisce the celebrations which helped them mark the occasion the previous time. Fakih says, "Last year, to make things feel festive, I decorated my home and made an elaborate effort to dress up, click pictures, and cook the food we always do - like sheer korma, mutton pulao and chicken korma. So that there was a sense of normalcy." She adds, "Of course, video calling the rest of the family helped a great deal." Fakih hopes to do that this year too together with her husband and little daughter.

Daniya Fakih will try to maintain a sense of normalcy in 2021 by cooking an elaborate meal for her family like she did in 2020. Photo: Daniya Fakih

Elsewhere in the city, Sabik Khalid, who lives in Mira Road will miss that first greeting from people outside the mosque which usually defines the day for him. "Every Eid, we would start by offering morning prayers followed by getting ready for Eid prayers at the mosque near our house. It is there that there would be a really huge congregation and we would end up meeting friends and family, who would be the first ones to greet us before other people wished us throughout the day."

Now, though Khalid and his family have to make do with toned-down festivities which are just not as fun, he says this is the need of the hour. "This year will be just like last year, as prayers will be offered at home - usually by the most senior person in the house but others can also lead it. We have also shopped for new clothes as it is advisable to wear new clothes on Eid but it misses the zest because, like any other festival, it is all about the people. Without getting to meet them, the will to dress up is not really much this time around."

Like Fakih, 27-year-old Khalid is hopeful about virtual gatherings and looking forward to the meals. "The food will include the signature sheer korma and may be some dry fruits. It will be followed by lunch, which is mostly mutton or chicken biryani with kebabs," Khalid adds.

Food forms an important part of the Eid celebrations at Virar-based Fouzia Bukhari's house too. "Every year, we share the food we make with our neighbours and usually visit our relatives. It will not be the case this time around as we will unfortunately not be able to do either of those things." Not only the act of sharing treats, she will also miss her brother who will not be able to visit home from Bengaluru where he lives. However, the 28-year-old communications professional believes the menu of kebabs and sewaiyan will lift spirits considerably.

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