IslamOnline.net & Newspapers
CAIRO — Egyptians from all ages thronged parks, cinemas and shopping malls to celebrate `Eid Al-Fitr despite warnings to avoid crowded places over swine flu fears.
"I am aware of the concerns about swine flu," Hatem Mahmoud told the Gulf News Monday, September 21, while holding a paper tissue to his nose.
"But we should not allow these worries to dampen our enthusiasm about enjoying the Eid."
The 19-years-old university student joined hundreds of movie-goers to pick a seat at one of Cairo cinemas.
"New films are usually released for public showing during this three-day holiday."
Egypt celebrated `Eid Al-Fitr, one of the two main Islamic religious festivals together with `Eid Al-Adha, on Sunday.
During `Eid days, families and friends exchange visits to express well wishes and children, wearing new clothes bought especially for `Eid, enjoy going out in parks and open fields.
This year’s `Eid is being celebrated amid strict government measures to prevent the spread of the deadly swine flu virus.
Egypt has reported around 900 swine flu cases and two deaths since last April.
The swine flu (H1N1), a mixture of various swine, bird and human viruses, first emerged in Mexico in April.
As part of efforts to combat the virus, Egypt has delayed the start of the new school year by a week and slapped age restrictions on Muslim pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.
The Egyptian government has also urged people to avoid crowded places for fear of virus spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the swine flu virus is moving around the globe at "unprecedented speed."
More than 3,205 people have been killed around the globe since the swine flu first surfaced in Mexico in April.
Eid Joy
Despite the concerns, `Eid celebrants turned up in their thousands to celebrate the Muslim feast.
"This is my last chance to spend a nice time with my friends before the start of the new academic year," Mahmoud said.
Thousands of Egyptian families also flocked to the streets and River Nile banks to mark the festival.
"I have not noticed any drop in the numbers of customers this year," Hasouna Shamel, a boat operator, said.
Many Egyptian families prefer a picnic near the Nile or a felucca (boat) ride on the river during `Eid.
"On the contrary, the riders this year may be higher because students want to enjoy themselves before schools re-open their gates.”
Shamel said most of his customers are teenagers, married couples and would-be spouses who prefer evening journeys to enjoy the refreshing breeze and the spectacular sight of the Nile.
Mustafa Chaker, a waiter at a restaurant in a Cairo mall, shares the same view.
The Egyptians are fond of celebrations and will not allow fears of swine flu to deprive them of joy, he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment