After nearly a month of fasting, Muslims in the world will again celebrate Eid al-Fitr, including those who live in Jakarta. But, amid the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the celebration of Lebaran will be more subdued. Those who used to travel back to their hometowns in a tradition called 'mudik', now elected to stay at home, following the instruction given by the Government of Jakarta to curb transmission. Even so, it does not mean that the celebration of Eid this year will be colorless. Let's find out ways to keep your relation with family close and safe during the corona outbreak.

Photo: allindonesiatourism.com

Eid Prayer at Home

Considering the risk of a massive spread of COVID-19 that could occur among a large crowd, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a fatwa that allows Eid prayer to be carried out independently or in a congregation with family at home. Meanwhile, takbir which usually reverberates on Lebaran night now could only be done from mosques or musala with loudspeakers as per instruction from the Government of Jakarta.

Celebrating Lebaran via Online

For those of you who have gone through Work From Home (WFH) in the midst of the pandemic, you are probably already familiar with a variety of video conference applications to communicate with colleagues online. Well, now you can try the same way to continue another tradition of Eid, which is forgiving each other. Use this moment to contact old friends or distant relatives who might have been difficult to visit before. So, who knows, even if separated by distance and only through video, your relation with them could be much warmer.

Maintain Physical Distancing When Meeting Neighbors

Rows of cookie jars on the coffee table become a familiar scene that is so typical, both when visiting and welcoming neighbors who visit during Eid celebration. But, following the call for physical distancing, we must change this tradition a little. First, by not entering the neighbor's house that you want to meet, and vice versa. The act of forgiving each other can still be done, for example from behind a fence while following instructions that have been issued, such as using a three-layer mask, keeping a minimum distance of two meters, and not making physical contact (e.g handshake).

[How to be a Good Neighbour during COVID-19]

Pay Zakat Safely

It has become an obligation for Muslims who are eligible to pay zakat in the month of Ramadan. However, in the midst of difficult situations like now, it would be better if you do it online, for example through the zakat pay service that is already available on the Baznas Bazis DKI Jakarta website. Or, if it's not possible, you can also distribute it directly to the nearest mosque to your house. But remember, Smartcitizen, you and the amil zakat officers must wear masks and always obey other medical protocols, such as not shaking hands and maintaining a physical distance.

Aside from issuing fatwas related to the procedure of Eid prayer at home, MUI also allows the use of zakat for COVID-19 mitigation, including helping vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic. So Smartcitizen, even though this year's celebrations may not be as lively as in previous years, we can still make this year's Eid as the most meaningful by helping others!