JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year as the COVID-19 pandemic again forces mosque closings and family separations on the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Indonesia and Malaysia banned the traditional Eid homecoming for a second year, fearing another virus spike linked to a major public holiday. Indonesia also urged people to pray from home and mosques in the higher-risk areas were closed to worship. In the capital, malls, restaurants and leisure destinations must shut. One resident says the pandemic changed everything: “Eid is not a grand event anymore.” In Bangladesh, tens of thousands of people were leaving Dhaka to join their families back in their villages for Eid celebrations despite a nationwide lockdown and road checkpoints.
