The Security Committee in Zalingei, the capital of Sudan’s Central Darfur State, on Tuesday, directed that Eid-al-Fitr prayers and other ceremonies be held in neighborhood mosques instead of public squares due to potential insecurity.

The current occasion of Eid al-Fitr marks a year since war erupted in Sudan between the Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during the end of Ramadan on 15 April 2023.

This conflict has resulted in an unprecedented toll of casualties and massive displacement.

Mohammed Amin, the head of the services department in the Transitional Committee for Central Darfur State, said the committee decided after wide consultations.

“The committee held extensive meetings discussing the agenda and activities of Eid but ultimately decided to suspend all mass activities,” he explained. “The committee directed that Eid prayers be held in neighborhood mosques, with activities limited to greetings only, as a measure to prevent public gatherings, given the security situation that necessitates taking measures to prevent public gatherings."

Amin added that directives were issued to sheiks and imams of mosques to hold prayers in residential neighborhoods to avoid any potential risks, noting that any public addresses by the chairman or membership of the Transitional Committee were canceled based on security assessments.

On his part, Ahmed Minnawi, a member of the Security Committee and the Secretary-General of the Civil Support Authority affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces RSF), confirmed the directives.

“There will be no activities with a mass or popular nature due to the fragility of the security situation, and Eid prayers will be held in mosques unlike the usual practice where worshipers used to perform Eid prayers in public squares,” he stated.

He urged religious leaders to preach peace, foster social cohesion, and reject racism and tribalism.

According to Minnawi, the ongoing aerial bombardment in several areas of Darfur does not help in gathering citizens in public forums, which must be taken into consideration.