Iranian president Rouhani urges coronavirus caution during Eid al-Adha festivities
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged people on Saturday to observe health protocols and practice social distancing during upcoming Muslim festivities, as a health official said there had been a surge in coronavirus
infections in a major holy city.
Muslims around the world mark the Eid al-Adha feast, due to start at the end of the month. This year, Saudi Arabia is to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending haj to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
Most Iranians are Shi’ite Muslims, who also mark their most significant mourning ceremonies of Ashura in September.
“Let glorious festivities be held in mosques and religious centers by observing health protocols and social distancing,” Rouhani said in a televised speech.
Read more:
Iran struggles to contain coronavirus outbreak with more than 15,000 deaths
Coronavirus: 25 million in Iran infected with COVID-19, says Rouhani
“Let masks this year be part of the glorious mourning of Muharram,” Rouhani said, referring to Ashura, the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram, when according to Islamic tradition Imam Hussein was killed in battle in 680.
One of the Eid al-Adha rituals is the sacrificial slaughter of sheep and giving to the poor. Iranian health officials have urged the faithful to package the meat before distribution.
Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, speaking on state television, urged people not to visit the northeastern holy city of Mashad, which he said has seen an increase of 300 percent in coronavirus cases over a one-month period.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
Millions typically visit Mashad’s Imam Reza shrine, which is Iran’s largest Shi’ite religious complex.
Iran’s total tally of coronavirus cases hit 288,839 on Saturday, with 15,485 deaths, Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on television.
The country gradually lifted its COVID-19 restrictions from mid-April, but they have been reimposed in most areas after a sharp spike in cases. On Saturday, officials in the capital Tehran extended restrictions by another week.
-
Iran struggles to contain coronavirus outbreak with more than 15,000 deaths
Iran’s death toll from the novel coronavirus surpassed 15,000, health authorities announced on Thursday, as the country struggles to contain the ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Iran says 138 health care workers have died fighting pandemic
Iran says 138 health care professionals have died so far while battling the coronavirus pandemic.The semiofficial ISNA news agency on Wednesday quoted ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: UN experts urge Iran to release jailed activist with COVID-19 symptoms
A group of UN rights experts called Wednesday on Iran to immediately release jailed activist and journalist Narges Mohammadi, reportedly ill with the ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Iran reports record number of new COVID-19 fatalities
Iran on Tuesday recorded a new single-day record death toll of 229 from the novel coronavirus, after weeks of rising numbers in the Middle East’s ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Turkey suspends flights to Iran, Afghanistan amid COVID-19 outbreak
Turkey has suspended flights to Iran and Afghanistan as part of measures against the coronavirus outbreak, the Transport Ministry said on Sunday.Read ... Coronavirus -
Iran’s rial slides to new low on unofficial market; virus, sanctions weigh
The Iranian rial fell to a new low against the US dollar on the unofficial market on Saturday and has now seen its value fall by almost half in 2020 ... Economy -
Coronavirus: 25 million in Iran infected with COVID-19, says Rouhani
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that 25 million Iranians have been infected with the coronavirus and that another 35 million are at ... Coronavirus