On Monday, May 4, 2020, the Bangladesh government declared to open the shopping malls for upcoming Eid festivals, rues Tabassum. She critiques the decision, exclusively for Different Truths.

Clothes make the man ~ Mark Twain

I agree with Mark Twain. During my time in the corporate, I had the task to implement dress -code policy. Not only in the corporate world but also in the other sectors, clothing and style have an impact. It makes an impression. It carries weight and reflects the personality. I remember the saying of  Amit Ray from Shesher Kobita, “Amit likens fashion to a mask, and style to the beauty of countenance.”― Rabindranath Tagore, Farewell Song (Translation Radha Chakravarty).

Twain and Amit might have held their tongues during the pandemic. On May 4, 2020, the Bangladesh government declared to open the shopping malls for upcoming Eid festivals. It is what I feared and in my previous column, The Ramadan during the Pandemic 2020, I have mentioned that how prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was humble in breaking fast and in his clothing.

I am confident that both Twain and Amit might have held their tongues during the pandemic. On May 4, 2020, the Bangladesh government declared to open the shopping malls for upcoming Eid festivals. It is what I feared and in my previous column, The Ramadan during the Pandemic 2020, I have mentioned that how prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was humble in breaking fast and in his clothing. The Prophet (PBUH) used to break his fasting with bread and dates. He (PBUH) and his companions would offer Zakat Al-Fitar before going to the mosque to offer Eid prayers. Then He (PBUH) would wear the special Yemeni cloak that he would wear on the two Eid’s and every Friday. So, it appears that he wore his special Yemeni Cloak during Eid ul Fitar and it was the same Yemeni Cloak which he used to wear on every Friday. so, no new clothes for Eids for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Well, people want to celebrate. Everything is subject to change. Typically during Ramadan, the madness for shopping in the malls is unbelievable, and the traffic caused by the rush of the people is unbearable why people could not understand that these are unsettling time.t the time of writing this article, the death toll in Bangladesh is 182 and infected 10143 (source: IEDCR).

We don’t have the facilities to fight this virus. The only way is social and physical distancing. We have witnessed that The Passover and the Easter and some Hindu religious festivals were celebrated without pomp and gathering.

We don’t have the facilities to fight this virus. The only way is social and physical distancing. We have witnessed that The Passover and the Easter and some Hindu religious festivals were celebrated without pomp and gathering. But we can’t

merely sit around the home without shopping for Eid festivals.

Can we blame the government for this decision? The neutral answer is no. The fault lies within ourselves. The government has so far shown enough patience. People were not maintaining social distancing. There were few incidents of police brutality in the beginning. Bangladesh government has been extending the public holidays and kind of lockdown step by step and so far, successful in stopping hoarding in no small extent. The law and enforcement are in the field to alert the people. They are fining people if anyone has to be found in the streets without reason. But everyone has a cause. Emergency and essential services are open. People will find a way to go out. Online sales are high for Eid shopping, and courier services are working in full swing.

It is high time to reflect upon ourselves. Why can’t we celebrate Eid humbly? During 1971, did our parents go shopping? Or our grandparents during second world war? The COVID-19 is a war against an invisible enemy that knows no borders, race, religion, colour or ethnicity. The world is struggling!

It is high time to reflect upon ourselves. Why can’t we celebrate Eid humbly? During 1971, did our parents go shopping? Or our grandparents during second world war? The COVID-19 is a war against an invisible enemy that knows no borders, race, religion, colour or ethnicity. The world is struggling! The financial and economic conditions are already suffering. Examples from all over the world could not open our eyes. Instead of blaming the government, we should ask ourselves why we did not stay at home and found excuses to go out. Why can’t we spend the Eid humbly and? Well, keen awaiting shoppers are delighted now. I hope that they come to senses and shop with modesty to lessen the crowd in the malls. And finally, I hope that their joys n shopping won’t turn into ashes and tears.

Until next week, stay safe and sound with physical and social distancing as much as possible.

Photo from the Internet