In Bunia, the capital of Ituri province in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Muslims gathered on Wednesday to celebrate Eid al-Adha.
A gathering held against a backdrop of health measures, including mask-wearing and mandatory handwashing, due to the Ebola epidemic currently affecting the country, with some 900 cases and 200 deaths according to the WHO.
“First of all, we are grateful to have made it to this day of prayer. We didn’t know we would be gathering to pray because of this terrible disease. People are dying, but we thank God for the strength He has given us that has allowed us to make it to this day of prayer, because this epidemic is serious. People are finding it difficult to pray,” says Zule Abdullah, a worshipper.
The epidemic, described as "extremely serious and difficult" by the World Health Organization, has cast a shadow over Eid celebrations in the country, much to the dismay of the Muslim community in Bunia.
"To be honest, today's Eid is not being celebrated as usual. As every holiday is a joy for Muslims, they gather in one place to pray and visit each other, but given the Ebola epidemic, the enthusiasm for the holiday is less," explains Alimu Yusufu, representative of the Islamic Community of Congo (COMICO) in Ituri.
In their prayers, the Muslims of Bunia implored divine mercy to contain the epidemic. It is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is neither a vaccine nor a treatment, further complicating the response.
