Badrul Huda Sohel :
The Muslim community is going to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, one of the largest religious festivals, for the 2nd time in the wake of the deadly corona virus infection around the world. This Eid also seems not to be devoid of worries and anxieties since both the rates of infection and deaths are more on the rise than before. After 14 days of severe lockdown to prevent corona infection, the government has now relaxed the lockdown. Shops are now open and cattle markets are allowed for sale of sacrificial animals. People are now busy with the last moment of Eid shopping and buying animals for Qurbani. But so frightening is that people in shopping malls and cattle markets in different parts of the country hardly maintain due norms of hygiene, consequently which may bring disastrous impact to our overall health system.
We noticed that corona infection increased at the end of each of the last three Eids. Experts caution that the infection may increase again. However, some exceptional decisions have been taken ahead of this Eid. This year, Eid prayers have been allowed in mosques as well as in open spaces. This measure has been taken so that people can stand freely and perform prayers discarding any crowd. Cuddling, embracing or shaking hands of any kind should be avoided while exchanging Eid greetings. We should not forget to wear masks and to maintain social distancing. Ban on vehicle movement has also been called off for smooth Eid journey. Hygiene therefore in public transports is more likely to be neglected. People have to return to capital Dhaka from the day after Eid as the government announced strict lockdown again from July 23 to August 5 with closure of all public and private offices, shopping malls, public transports, as well as all kinds of industrial factories including garments. So Eid returneews have to face another rush to be back to the city. They have to stay in their villages till the office and factory start functioning. It is assumed that Covid-19 situation will worsen and deteriorate if we repeat huddling travels which we experienced in ambulance, microbus or pickup van instead of bus, launch and train in the previous Eid festivals. Therefore, everyone should be careful while moving freely amid this Eid.
Since animals will be sacrificed on this Eid, more attention should be paid to cleanliness and hygiene. City corporations and municipalities need to be proactive in disposing waste after sacrificing the animals. To this end, city corporations or municipalities may designate open spaces in front of schools and colleges or any other forsaken fields.
Another issue that has plagued us tremendously for the last few years is leather industry. Buyers and sellers have long complained about not getting a fair price for the leather we get from goats and oxen at both retail and wholesale levels. The syndicate involved in the price of leather, which is considered to be the rightful claim of the poor in our society, must be stopped. In order to resolve this dilapidated state of the leather industry, the concerned authorities have to be alert now. All sorts of initiatives should be taken to conserve rawhide by arranging tannery waste treatment. Although leather is one of the most important financial commodities, the trade in leather products has declined by 22 percent during this pandemic. A master plan, therefore, should be adopted now so that the leather industry does not kiss the dust. In the lockdown after Eid, vehicles carrying leather will have to be allowed to move freely.
The habit of visiting relatives at different houses including recreational parks during Eid holidays is a tradition of our culture. Since the parks are closed, visits to relatives’ houses may increase. We should also be aware of not indulging in the corona virus while traveling. Besides, on the days after Eid, many of the youngsters were seen victimized in bike accidents causing family losses in lieu of Eid rejoices. It is not unusual for people to go missing in the flood water while visiting the haor areas during this rainy season. Therefore, it is important for the parents to be more watchful about the fact that their children cannot go out toenjoy the beauty of the wetlands violating lockdown.
The highway police have to be vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents of theft and robbery on the streets as there will be homebound on the streets till the night before Eid. Mobile courts need to be more active to ensure hygiene in public transports. Let this Eid bring not mourning but happiness as it always did in the past. Patience and obedience to the rules of health can only make this happen. Let us celebrate this Eid by sharing the joys and sorrows with one another irrespective of the rich and the poor.
(Badrul Huda Sohel is Assistant Professor, Department of English, Ishakha International University. E-mail: [email protected]).
