Soaring infections dampen Eid festivities in Southeast Asia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Millions of Muslims in Indonesia are marking a muted and gloomy holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan _ a usually joyous three-day celebration that has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar. It means no congregational prayers at mosques and open fields, no family reunions, no relatives bearing gifts for children. In deeply conservative Aceh, public Eid prayers can still be performed at mosques and fields, but without shaking hands and with limited sermons. Sunday’s Eid celebrations are also low-key in Muslim-majority Malaysia where mass gatherings are still banned and Muslims are not allowed to travel back to their villages.