Muslims flock to mosques to perform eid prayer

AMMAN — Mask-clad worshippers flocked in masses to mosques on Tuesday to perform the Eid Al-Adha prayer. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs had announced that the prayer would begin at 6:30am.اضافة اعلان

Amid loosened COVID-19 restrictions, Jordanians who attended the prayer expressed to Jordan News their great joy of being able to pay respects during Eid Al-Adha.



While the scene preserved its sacred spirit and social value, Jordanians showed great abidance to health measures in the morning prayer by wearing masks, bringing their own praying matts, and adhering to social distancing.

Loud recitation of Eid Takbeerat in mosques marked the beginning of the three-day Muslim holiday that celebrates the end of hajj, or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.


This year, the Ministry of Awqaf announced 1,019 locations across the Kingdom for the Eid Al-Adha prayer.

Al-Kalouty Mosque, among those locations, welcomed hundreds of Muslims this July. In May 2021, the mosque was not able to welcome worshippers for the Eid Al-Fitr prayer due to the #SaveSheikhJarrah protests that erupted near it in Rabieh.

Sixteen-year-old Leen Al-Hajj Omar, who participated in the May protests, told Jordan News that the mosque had witnessed tightened security measures back then.

Another worshiper, Mervat Al-Masry, also recalled the solidarity people showed at the site.

Masry, who attended the prayer with her daughter, told Jordan News how the pandemic curbed prayer in Ramadan and eid, saying that it is a blessing to be back in mosques again.

“To me, eid prayer is eid. It means a lot to walk with my family in the morning to see people and witness the spiritual joy; It is a must for us to perform eid prayer here in Kalouti, given that we are regular attendees,” she said.

Even children were present at the prayer.Ten-year-old Rand Shaker who came with her aunt expressed to Jordan News her happiness and excitement today.



(Photo: Leen Aljadid/Jordan News)

Four-year-old Nour Al-Jundy, who appears in the photo, eagerly offered people eid chocolates. Her mother, Nada Ghnim, told Jordan News that as an expatriate, she is keen to instill in her daughter the values of tenderness and generosity. “Because we live abroad and people give candies and chocolate at Christmas, I wanted my daughter to know the real joy of eid and that we surely share delicious food in our holidays too,” she said.

Others at the mosque also distributed sweets and toys. Two young sisters said that they “wished to give simple gifts to children to make them happy and feel the real atmosphere of the festival, especially since not many kids came to the prayer last eid due to the raging cases.”


(Photo: Leen Aljadid/Jordan News)

In an interview with Jordan News, Al-Kalouti’s imam, Ramadan Al-Shiekh, said: “I am thrilled to see the crowds, as we were eagerly waiting for this day. It feels sad to be called yet unable to heed or respond to the call.” However, the imam said he is pleased that the payer today gave a way for people to strengthen their faith and connection to God.

Worshippers further shared their plans for the day.

Husam Omran, a 29-year-old man from Egypt, told Jordan News that the first day of Eid Al-Adha is always about visiting family and loved ones. 

Other interviewees highlighted that “gathering with family and relatives for a breakfast feast is the most important event.”

After listening to the eid sermon, which underscored the value of Islamic principles, Muslims were ready to leave and start their eid ceremonies.

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