Mogadishu cautiously celebrates Eid-Ul-Fitr

Mogadishu, 25 May 2020 – Residents of Mogadishu on Saturday marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan by heeding to the advice from health authorities not to gather in large numbers due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

On any other Eid-ul-Fitr day, Mogadishu would be busy with large gatherings and huge celebrations as communities, families and friends come together for what is known as the “Feast of Breaking the Fast”.

This year was different. In his Eid message, the President of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajoo urged the public to adhere to the health guidelines and celebrate at home.

Very few people were seen at the popular Peace garden and Liido Beach, two of the city’s most populous attractions. Last year, for example, these two places were packed with joyous families and friends celebrating the important national holiday.

While only a few came out this year, security in Mogadishu was tight and those that were up and about on the streets were treated to a fine spectacle.

The highlight was a colourful display by the police brass band locally known as “Koxda Baambayda”, who were in their full white and black regalia and shiny trumpets and flutes. The band marched along the main Makal-Al-Mukarrama road up to the picturesque old town district of Hamarweyne where they performed in honour of staff at the Martini hospital, Somalia’s main COVID-19 treatment centre.

The hospital staff came out for the performance covered from toe to the head in full protective gear. They stood at the main hospital gate to keep their distance from the crowd that had gathered along the street behind the police band which played patriotic tunes that moved everyone.

OUT AND ABOUT

At the Peace Garden in Mogadishu, Deqa Abdi, a mother of five, brought her children to play on the swings and slides.  “We came to the Peace garden to enjoy Eid-Ul-Fitr. Although we have to be careful of COVID-19, we could not stop celebrating this joyful day,” Deqa said.

For 32-year-old Ismail Ali Ibrahim, his prayer is that life returns to normal soon.

“I pray to Allah to bring back the joy taken away from us by the coronavirus. Today’s Eid turnout at the mosque and public places in Mogadishu was very low due to fears of the coronavirus as many people remained indoors as advised by the Ministry of Health. I hope next Eid will be more exciting than this,” he said.

Source: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION Photo credit: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION