Eid Prayers Not to Be Held at Imam Hussein (AS) Holy Shrine

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The Astan (custodianship) of the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) in Karbala, Iraq, announced that unlike previous years, Eid al-Fitr prayers will not be held at the mausoleum.

According to Noon news agency, the outbreak of the coronavirus and importance of public health has been cited as the reason behind the decision.

The Astan said in a statement that given the continuation of the coronavirus crisis, there will not be congregational Eid prayers at the holy shrine and around the mausoleum this year.

Health authorities in Karbala Province have registered 132 coronavirus cases and eight deaths from COVID-19 in the province.  

Iraq’s top Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has announced Monday, May 25, to be Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr marks the new lunar month of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan — the ninth month on the Islamic calendar — when Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured from dawn to dusk.

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