Mumbai, Jul 13 (IANS): A prominent Maharashtra Congress leader on Monday urged the state government to permit the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebrations with suitable Covid-19 restrictions.

The plea came in a memorandum to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state Congress chief and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and NCP's Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, submitted by former minister Arif Naseem Khan.

Khan said that Eid al-Adha is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar and obligatory upon the Muslim faithful to perform the sacrifice of goats.

"Just as the government has permitted the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival with stringent conditions, we appeal to you to let the Muslim community also celebrate Eid al-Adha with appropriate restrictions," Khan said.

He said that since the festival is due to be celebrated on August 1, but so far, the state government has not taken any decision in the matter which has unnerved the Muslim community and leaders of various organisations.

Khan called upon Thackeray to take a decision in the matter on priority which could enable the community to celebrate Eid al-Adha with due restrictions.

Incidentally, in May, the Muslim community in Mumbai and Maharashtra had celebrated Eid ul-Fitr virtually remaining at home as the Covid-19 pandemic raged, and even the world-famous Mohammed Ali Road food bazaar remained shut for the first time in its 250-year-old history.