“This whole Ramzan has been very refreshing because it has been one without lockdown,” says Maajid Ghazi, who is ready to bring in Eid with family in his South Mumbai home. The period leading up to Eid was special for the Grant Road resident because he was able to participate in a prayer said by the imam in the mosque. “We have a voluntary prayer – the 20 rakats of taraweeh that we pray every night. It is a big thing for Muslims and that has not been a part of our lives for two years but thankfully, we were able to do it this time,” he shares.  The 29-year-old still remembers the feeling of being able to go to the mosque on the first day of Ramzan, and it still feels like it was only yesterday.

Ghazi’s words ring true especially because the last two years have been plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that came with it. It is why many people across communities weren’t able to congregate in large numbers at religious places. However, it is going to be different this time as the community can’t wait to celebrate the festival with their family and friends.