Belgium’s Muslims Prepare for Subdued Eid al-Fitr Amid COVID-19 Restrictions

A special celebration for the Muslim community in Belgium, estimated at 600,000 people, after having gone through a Ramadan month without flavor due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The Council of Theologians, attached to the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB), meeting on Friday evening, set the end of Ramadan for this Sunday. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival will be celebrated in a very particular way. It will be in a small circle, at home and without gatherings.

To recall, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the first day of which is determined locally by the appearance of the new moon. Ramadan is a period of prayer and fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.