Muslim families speak about how their Eid will be different amid coronavirus pandemic

On Friday, many Muslims will celebrate Eid-Al-Adha, but instead of visiting family and friends and throwing Eid parties, it will be a much smaller affair, with just two people allowed to visit.

Shakeel Choudhry, from Blackburn, is looking forward to visiting the mosque in a small revised group, ensuring safety on the day.

He said: “My plan this Eid is to maybe pray the last gathering of Eid prayer as there are three timings.

“This is a fantastic display of what our masjids are doing to combat the increase and show the community how seriously we are taking this.

“The norm would have been going to my parents’ house and spending Eid there, but sadly this Eid, similar to the last one, will be spent at home with Facetime calls.”

Mr Choudhry is not the only one getting ready for a quieter Eid with his own family.

"Muslims up and down Lancashire will be attending prayers in small groups with social distancing in mosques.

Faz Patel, from Blackburn, a carer for his grandad, plans to spend his day after attending a prayer with his grandad.

He said: “As usual, I will go to pray in a small group with my mask and own prayer mat.

“Then we will be making memories together, telling stories and giving gifts, just the two of us.

“We will also be making video calls to our family everywhere, including in South Africa,” he added.

One Voice Blackburn CEO Zak Khan said: “We are encouraging people to pray at home on Eid as advised by the Lancashire Council of Mosques.

“We have been working with a number of agencies promoting key messages into the community. Eid will be an important time for all of us to adhere to the rules. I have every confidence in our community to do so,” he added.

Blackburn with Darwen director of public health Professor Dominic Harrison said: “We are strongly recommending that families celebrate Eid only with the people they live with, and do not invite anyone from another household into their home."