Eid Al Fitr: celebrities urge people around the world to celebrate at home

With the end of Ramadan near, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated around the world this weekend by billions of people.

Normally a communal celebration that is marked by meeting family and friends and gathering for prayer, this year's Eid is going to be unlike any witnessed in modern history. The coronavirus pandemic means Eid will be an at-home affair for most.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, urged people around the UAE to stay at home this Eid long weekend. And celebrities around the world are also using their clout to try and encourage all those celebrating Eid to "save lives" by staying at home.

British actor and comedian Adil Ray posted a video featuring many prominent UK-based Muslims, all with one message: celebrate at home, and only with your immediate family.

"This year, we can stay home, save lives and give consideration to others. What a wonderful Eid gift that would be," he said in the video. Foodie Nadiya Hussain, actor Armeena Khan and cricketers Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq also appear in the message:

As many Muslims look forward to celebrating Eid at this difficult time, a few of us wanted to record this message. We would be grateful if the wider community would support us and retweet. Thank you @ArmeenaRK @BegumNadiya @nazirafzal @Saqlain_Mushtaq @AzharMahmood11 #eidathome pic.twitter.com/reg8jCh5FH
— Adil Ray OBE 💙 (@adilray) May 21, 2020

In Pakistan, Shaniera Akram – wife of cricket legend Wasim – said sticking to stay home rules and recommendations was the ultimate act of charity this year.

The most charitable thing you can do for your country this Eid is stay at home #EidAlone #WeStayLockedDown #TogetherApartSavesLives
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) May 14, 2020

She also pointed out that although her former sports star husband "is fit, he is also diabetic", and so is in a higher-risk category.

Although my husband is fit he is also a diabetic. We will be celebrating Eid alone this year. How about you? #DontTakeTheRisk #EidAlone #SaveLives #TogetherApart
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) May 14, 2020

Meanwhile, Palestinian-American personality Mohamed Hadid shared this photo of himself cooking at home ahead of the Eid celebrations:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mohamedhadid. (@mohamedhadid)

And Muslim-Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui pointed out that he is staying home in Budhana, a town in Uttar Pradesh, with his mum, after his younger sister died of cancer late last year.

Due to the recent loss of my younger sister, my mother who is 71yrs old got anxiety attack twice.
We have followed all the guidelines given by the State Government.
We are #HomeQuarantined at our hometown Budhana.
Please #StaySafe #StayHome
— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) May 18, 2020

Now, watch our guide to how to perform Eid prayers at home:

And, while he has yet to talk about Eid, Shah Rukh Khan, the world's most famous man, has put out some philosophical words about lockdown that are very in his style. He reminds us, at these times, to "laugh with those we fought so hard... and know our ideas weren't actually any bigger than theirs".