Hundreds of Muslims gather in Ikea car park to mark Eid with social distancing

Hundreds of Muslims gathered in an Ikea car park in Germany to safely celebrate Eid at the weekend.

Around 800 Muslims prayed in the large outdoor space to mark Eid al-Fitr on Sunday – a holiday at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Due to social distancing guidelines in Germany, large groups are unable to gather indoors and congregate, but mosque leaders in the city of Wetzlar found an alternative solution.

Kadir Terzi, the chairperson of a mosque in the city, which is near Frankfurt, told BBC News: ‘The store manager didn’t hesitate for a second and said, “Yes, you can pray.”

‘I was surprised and happy at the same time. The closing prayer with all Muslims in Wetzlar was like a reward for us.

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It was a completely different Ramadan month, without contacts, without visits and without breaking the fast together.’

People were invited to bring their prayers mats and face masks to the Ikea car park, but were reminded of the German coronavirus rules that children under 12 should be left at home and people must keep physically apart.

Mr Terzi organised the prayer along with Ditib Wetzlar mosque, and worshippers came together in the car park to perform their prayers and listen to a sermon by the imam.

He added the chance to pray together was very valuable.

Mr Terzi said the chance to pray together was ‘very valuable’ because many worshippers felt isolated during Ramadan due to restrictions and lockdown.

Usually Ramadan is a busy time when families and communities gather nightly to break their fasts and organise charity work.

And the mosque, IGMG Wetzlar Fatih Camii, posted on Twitter: ‘We would like to thank the Wetzlar police, the Wetzlar public order office, Ikea Wetzlar management, brothers, and all who contributed to making this extraordinary holiday prayer possible.’

The move was praised on social media. One Twitter user wrote: ‘What a lovely gesture. A true sign of hope in these difficult times.’

Another added: ‘This is what finding solutions together and staying by each other through this crisis can look like.’

Places of worship in Germany reopened on May 9, but visitors must still follow social distancing guidelines and strict hygiene measures.

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