Kazi Saki is one of the favorite men and well-known faces in the Bengali community. He is working with Nathaniel Erickson Smith (MP, Beaches-East York) as a constituency assistant. Besides, he is also a treasurer of Toronto Dhaka Club. He is the General Secretary of Toronto Netrokona Association.

Recently in an interview with Shukhobor24.com, he has given some important information about what this Eid-ul-Fitr is going to be like. He also talked about how to celebrate this Eid. Let's find out about his Eid thoughts this time.

Shukhobor24.com: Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, all kinds of big congregations are banned this year. According to that rule, there will be no 'Chan Raat' on the night before Eid-ul-Fitr. Over the past few years, a large number of people have gathered in Danforth, Toronto, around 'Chan Raat'. That is not happening this time. What is your opinion on this?

Kazi Saki: Toronto Dhaka Club has been organizing ‘Mehedi festival’ on 'Chan Raat' for the last three years. That is not happening this year. In this case, my statement is very clear. The festival comes every year. But to avoid the disaster caused by the coronavirus, it is mandatory for everyone to adhere to social distance. So the festival that is taking place in our community around 'Chan Raat' is not happening this time. It might be upsetting. But I would say, first of all, the safety of life must be ensured.

Shukhobor24.com: A huge Eid congregation was held at Dentonia Park. You are indirectly involved in that arrangement. This time the congregation is not being held?

Kazi Saki : It has already been officially announced in Saudi Arabia that this time Eid prayers will have to be performed in their homes. Because in this present crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, curfew has been declared during Eid holidays. Mosques will be closed during Eid.

Eid prayers are being offered at home in Toronto, Canada. The Eid congregation at Dentonia Park is the largest one in our community. This year, the organizers (Danforth Islamic Center) have already announced that they will not hold Eid Jamaat in the field and they have organized a virtual sermon. The sermon will be held on Sunday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Eid day. In addition to the Imam's sermon, Eid greetings will be given by Toronto City Mayor John Tory, Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MPP Rima Berns-McGown, Scarborough Southwest MP Dolly Begum, and Brad Bradford, Counselor of Beaches-East York. Anyone can take part in this online sermon. 

Apart from this, everyone will celebrate Eid as a family. In recent years, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MP of Beaches East-York, has visited Muslim families in the Bengali community after Eid prayers. This time nothing much is happening.
Meanwhile, Toronto Dhaka Club has organized a virtual Eid celebration party with its members. It will start at 12 noon. The members of the club will exchange Eid greetings with their families through video conferencing. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, MP of Beaches-East York, Dolly Begum, MPP of Scarborough Southwest, Brad Bradford, Counselor of Beaches East York, and Gary Crawford, Councilor of Scarborough Southwest will also participate in this virtual Eid celebration. 

Shukhobor24.com: How will you personally celebrate Eid this time?

Kazi Saki: Eid cooking will be done at home. This year Eid is taking place during the weekend. So everyone will stay at home. We will participate in several virtual chats. Apart from this, I am just going to stay at home. Maybe one or two very close friends will come to visit in person. But other family members will not come. Special dishes will be served while having a fun chat with them. And in Bangladesh, we will talk to our relatives on the day of Eid. Other times I talk to them the day after Eid. This year, Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid from home; so I would like to share the joy of Eid with everyone through mobile or online chat.

Shukhobor24.com: Would you like to share some Eid greetings with your acquaintances?

Kazi Saki: Eid wishes to all and Eid Mubarak. Special thanks to the Federal Government of Canada. Because of their capable leadership and diligent system, no one in this country has a problem with food at home. Everyone is doing well in the pandemic situation because of the right steps they have taken.

This time Eid celebration will be different for everyone all around the world. I would like to say that it's better for us to stay safe by avoiding public gatherings and enjoying the Eid day with family members at home.