In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, hundreds of worshippers turned up for morning prayers at the historic port of Sunda Kelapa in North Jakarta to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

“I’m very happy that we’re free (of COVID curbs) now,” said Laila, 35, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.

Another worshipper, 30-year old Adit Chandra, said: “I hope it gets better from here on, and that we can gather together with our families after the last three years of not being able to go back to our hometown”.

Chandra is among the more than 120 million Indonesians – nearly half the country’s population – who plan to travel from major urban centres to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr.

That is about 44% more than the number of people who made the exodus last year, the government said.

In neighbouring Muslim-majority Malaysia, devotees also celebrated with families.

“We can visit the extended family, and do so without suspicious feelings … during the pandemic we were cautious,” said Khairul Soryati, a 39-year-old resident of Kuala Lumpur.

Muhd Nur Afham, 31, who works in Singapore said he could finally celebrate with the family in Malaysia this year after not being able to travel during the pandemic.

“I’m grateful I can meet with my families … last time we only met through video call,” he said.

Authorities in both countries have, however, urged the public to remain cautious amid reports of rising COVID cases.

This gift is intended to assist individuals in need in celebrating and taking part in the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the conclusion of Ramadan.

Zakat a-Fitr is a type of charity that is separate from Zakat, one of Islam’s five pillars. While Zakat is normally paid once a year and calculated based on a person’s wealth, Zakat al-Fitr is paid on an individual basis and has a fixed amount that has been established by Muslim legal scholars.

Depending on the area and the cost of food, different amounts are required for Zakat al-Fitr. It is comparable to the price of one meal or one kilogramme of rice or wheat in the majority of countries. The cost is typically covered by all household members, including minors and the elderly.

The required Zakat al-Fitr donation for residents of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is $7. The cost is $12 in the US, meanwhile.

There is a different kind of donation known as “Fidya.” This is a fixed sum that a person is required to pay for each day when they are unable to work owing to illness, old age, etc.

Cash or other donations, such food or clothing, are also acceptable forms of zakat al-Fitr. It is crucial to remember that Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer and cannot be postponed. This is so that those in need can celebrate and enjoy Eid, which is what Zakat al-Fitr is intended to do. Delaying the payment would be in opposition to the goal.