Keep Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations low-key during lockdown, Udupi Qazi Bekal Ustad tells people
Mangaluru: Bekal Ibrahim Musliyar, qazi for Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts, has asked the people to observe Eid ul-Fitr in a simple manner, in the backdrop of the Corona lockdown.
“The Central and state governments have imposed lockdown and prohibited gatherings – including namaz and ziyarat – to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. Muslims have respected the call of the religious and community leaders and kept away from observing the Juma namaz, Ramadan taraveeh namaz, ziyarat and even purchase of clothes for Eid. Their efforts are laudable,” said the qazi.
Speaking on the upcoming celebrations, the qazi said that with an extension of the lockdown, holding Eid namaz at mosques and idgahs too has been prohibited. “People should, therefore, cooperate and observe the Eid namaz at home itself. There is no need for the Eid khutbah too. The namaz can be held with takbeer for both the raka'ats,” he instructed.
“Zakat, and Fitra is compulsory and, under the present circumstances, can be handed over to the beneficiaries prior to the day of Eid,” the qazi explained and stressed, “People should still remember to maintain social distance and also wear masks for their and others' safety.”
Qazi Bekal Ibrahim Musliyar said that Qabar Ziyarat should also be avoided. “It is common for members of joint families to shake hands and wish one another. But, since the Health Department has explained the dangers of gatherings, people should all stay at home. The relaxation of the lockdown should not be used as an excuse to meet others and visit graveyards for Ziyarat,” he advised, adding that very young children, women – especially pregnant women – and senior citizens should remember to stay at home.
“When the mosques are closed and no Eid namaz is held at either the mosques or idgahs, it is not right for the people to celebrate the festival in a grand manner. Keep the celebrations simple and moderate and set an example in the society,” Qazi Bekal Ibrahim Musliyar asked the people.
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Organisation urges Centre to set up National Widows' Rights Commission
Mumbai (PTI): A Maharashtra-based voluntary organisation has appealed to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to establish an independent National Widows' Rights Commission to address "systemic and lifelong injustices".
Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal (MPSSM) said widowed women in India face social ostracisation, denial of property and inheritance rights, economic insecurity, psychological trauma, and heightened sexual vulnerability.
These issues are not adequately addressed by existing institutional mechanisms, it said.
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In its representation to the ministry, the organisation stated that despite Constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity under Articles 14, 15 and 21, there is no exclusive statutory body that focuses specifically on the unique and long-term vulnerabilities of widows.
The proposal notes that while women's commissions function at the national and state levels, their broad mandate limits focused attention on widows' issues, leading to gaps in grievance redressal, monitoring and accountability.
Calling widowed women a "structurally vulnerable group" comparable to other constitutionally recognised categories, MPSSM has proposed the creation of National and State Widows' Rights Commissions with the power to inquire into complaints, summon reports from police and administrative authorities, and make time-bound recommendations, including registration of FIRs and legal action where required.
It demanded that the commission be empowered to suggest rehabilitation measures, financial assistance schemes and amendments to existing laws, and submit annual reports to Parliament or state legislatures.
MPSSM president Pramod Zinjade said the establishment of a dedicated Widows' Rights Commission was a "constitutional necessity and moral obligation" to restore dignity, security and human rights of widowed women and to eliminate regressive social practices.
Zinjade said he has also written to the United Nations seeking the establishment of an International Widows' Rights Commission (IWRC).
He has been leading a campaign in rural Maharashtra to eradicate evil customs related to widows. Several villages have passed unanimous resolutions banning such customs.
