With Wollongong and Shellharbour in lockdown, Muslims in these areas were resigned to celebrating Eid at home on Tuesday.
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Usually friends and families gather together to celebrate the religious holiday and enjoy a feast of food and sweets.
That's not going to be the case for Illawarra Islamic Society president Mehmet Ozturk this year.
"Making sure people are healthy is the number one priority. That's why it is important all Muslims follow the rules and stay at home to celebrate. That is what I'll be doing," he said.
"My wife usually makes sweets and tasty foods such as burek and sarma but she hasn't made some this year because no one can come over.
"Even my sons and family can't come. This is of course annoying but we understand why it must happen and encourage everyone to follow the rules."
Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is the second holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world.
It marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage in Mecca, and commemorates prophet Ibrahim being commanded by God to sacrifice his son.
Communities usually celebrate with food, prayer, family and friends.
But this year, over 250,000 Muslims in the greater Sydney region will be confined to their own homes with no visitors allowed.
While some were hopeful they'd be out of lockdown by Eid on Tuesday, stay-at-home orders were extended until at least the end of the month as COVID-19 infections continue to rise, particularly in Sydney's south-west.
Iman Abdul Rahman, the religious leader at Omar Mosque in Gwynneville said this year's Eid would be very different but it would allow people to practice what they preach and put community interest above individual wants.
"The spirit of the day is what matters most and I'm sure all Muslims will celebrate in a way that doesn't harm their community," Iman Rahman said.
He added work on the new Mosque had ceased to comply with the new COVID-19 restrictions.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
