QuarantEid: Ideas to Celebrate Eid in Isolation

By Haris Rashid

Being a person who has been quarantined/isolated thrice (14 days, 17 days & 3 days) since the pandemic began, I understand how boring and depressing it can get when you are facing nothing but the four walls. The second wave of Covid-19 with its new variants has left its imprints across all ages. More young people are infected right now. They must be finding it challenging to cope up with the quarantine, especially now that Eid is on cards, some people might experience FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Here is an attempt from my side to provide an antidote to your FOMO so that you can utilize your social capital efficiently on Eid.

Your health comes first. Please check if your oxygen saturation, pulse and your body temperature are within normal range. If all is well and you’re in the celebration mood then check this list out to make your “QuarantEid” special.

Meals with the family are an important aspect of Eid. Starting from breakfast, make sure you connect with your family on a video call to relish your every meal in the Eidy familial setting.
Eid Namaaz is central to Eid. Renew your vigour with clean clothes and offer the prayers with the same zeal that you normally manifest in Eidgah.

Let us switch from texting to video calling this Eid. Start calling your friends, neighbours and relatives and extend Eid greetings and other wishes. If you’re an Eidhi demanding person, don’t hesitate to ask for the same wherever possible.

For a vibrant evening, you can create a shiny aura of your room by decorating it with colourful balloons, candles and fairy lights or whatever decorating item is within your reach. Compliment it with your favourite songs and especially look for Coke Studio for Sufi/religious melodies.

Some activities that you can do virtually with your friends and family:

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Watch some movie or listen to music jointly with your friend/s using the Rave-Watch Party app from Google Play Store for android. It allows synchronized watch parties where you can watch from Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, Reddit, Drive and other websites. You can connect with friends through chat and voice while binge-watching. For desktop, use https://twoseven.xyz/ using Chrome to watch movies and videos with friends.
You can also play multiplayer games like Ludo King, Clash of Clans, Modern Combat 5: eSports FPS, Call of Duty: Mobile on your mobile phone.
Your QuarantEid is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your cultural heritage. You can video chat with your friends/family and sing “Eid aayi ras ras/ Eid gah wass wai” like the good old days of Kashmir.

Since we are in the midst of troubling times with many of our people needing one or other form of help, if possible, you can do your little bit in alleviating the sufferings of people around you by donating to deserving individuals/organisations.

Wish you a wonderful eid day ahead. Eid Mubarak in advance!

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