Hawzah News Agency (Bury - UK) - Eid al-Adha is usually a huge celebration but this year things are set to be a lot more subdued than usual in Bury.

The festival, the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year along with Eid al-Fitr, starts this evening (July 30) and runs through until Monday night (August 3).

It is traditionally a time for Muslims to visit loved ones to share food and catch up with family and friends but due to the ongoing pandemic, community and council leaders are asking people to exercise caution in order to help prevent the spread of Covid19.

While mosques have reopened, social distancing restrictions mean that fewer people can attend than normally would.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, deputy leader of Bury Council, said: “It’s been good to be able to return to the mosque for prayers and worship and I thank our local mosques for the work they have done to keep everyone safe.

“We celebrated Eid al-Fitr in the lockdown at home and now we will celebrate Eid al-Adha in a time when we must all continue to be so careful to prevent the spread of infection and a spike in cases.

“It’s particularly important because we all know that people of black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to be badly affected by Covid19.

“We must keep 2 metres apart and not greet each other as we normally would, with hugs and handshakes.

“These things are hard to do but they are what we must do to protect ourselves, our families and our loved ones.”