It’s a very low-key Eid this year for Bollywood with most of the fraternity choosing to forego the festivities completely. Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui, “That spirit of joy that you feel during a festive occasion is lost. When you think of so many people falling ill and losing their lives what possible reason can you have to celebrate?”
On the other hand actor Sharib Hashmi feels Eid is reason to feel some joy during these grim times. “I feel during this time of crisis, these festive moments do bring a big smile on our faces. But we should celebrate them keeping all the guidelines of the lockdown in mind and take all the precautions we can and make a safe environment around us. And please make do with just virtual hugs this Eid.”
Shabana Azmi and her husband Javed Akhtar miss the big get-together they have every year for Eid. However Shabana sees isolation as the need of the hour. “I think quiet festivity can provide some respite from the sense of gloom all of us are experiencing collectively .But it should not be turned into a public affair. One has to be very mindful and very sensitive to the fact that many have lost their loved ones to this pandemic.
The celebrated actress feels it’s time celebrate by helping those in need. “Celebrate at home and do your bit in whatever way you can to alleviate the suffering .In my father’s home town Mijwan, the Mijwan Welfare Society is running a Covid Rahat program which is providing Oxygen Concentrators, food supplies, accelerating vaccination drive in the rural areas.”
Television and OTT actor Iqbal Khan feels the any elaborate celebration would be improper. "Lock down or no lockdown, celebration should never be extravagant. And so much has happened in the last year and a half we should spend Eid praying that we get out of this pandemic and strength for those who have lost their loved ones. Gatherings at this point would be un-Islamic."
Concludes Fardeen Khan, "My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones and are suffering from Covid. I am just grateful for everything I have."
Also Read: Shabana Azmi on staying safe & sane during Covid
