Muslims in India and Bangladesh joined prayers to celebrate a subdued Eid-al Fitr on Monday, marking the end of the Ramadan holy month by seeking blessings for a world free from coronavirus.
Across India, government leaders and imams appealed to Eid celebrants to follow lockdown norms and maintain social distance.
The iconic Mughal-era Jamia mosque in New Delhi remained closed as part of a ban on religious congregations to stop the spread of the virus. Outside, security officers patrolled the streets and almost all shops were closed barring a sweet shop. Police made rounds on motorbikes and a mini police camp stood just outside one of the gates.
The Jama Mosque is seen during Eid al-Fitr at the old quarters of New Delhi, India, Monday, May 25, 2020. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, a usually joyous three-day celebration has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
“It’s been 1,400 years since the Islam religion was founded, ... even our elders could never imagine that we will have to celebrate Eid in such a way,” said businessman Shehzad Khan.
He said money typically spent buying new clothes to wear for Eid was sent to the poor, who have lost livelihoods due to the virus and the measures taken to contain it. "That money we have given them so that they too can celebrate Eid with us,” Khan said.
In Bangladesh, authorities have asked people to avoid mass prayers in open fields, locations that can draw tens of thousands normally. While big congregations were banned in the Muslim-majority nation, devotees could join prayers at mosques by maintaining safe distances.
A para-military force soldier stands guard on Eid al-Fitr at the old quarters of New Delhi, India, Monday, May 25, 2020. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, a usually joyous three-day celebration has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
Those praying in the country's more than 300,000 mosques during the morning wore masks and many wore gloves as well.
In the capital’s main Baitul Mokarram mosque, thousands joined the prayers in phases as authorities allowed them to enter in groups and prayers were held every hour. Many waited in lines for more than an hour to enter the premises.
“This is a new experience. We never felt like this,” government official Abdul Halim said after attending the prayer in Dhaka.
The Jama Mosque is silhouetted against the morning sun during Eid al-Fitr at the old quarters of New Delhi, India, Monday, May 25, 2020. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, a usually joyous three-day celebration has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
“I did not bring my two sons for the prayers, they are staying home. My family could not visit my parents this time,” he said.
India has climbed to among the world’s largest outbreaks with more than 138,000 cases and 4,000 deaths. It has eased its strict lockdown in recent weeks, including allowing domestic flights to resume starting Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greeting to Muslims.
Indian Muslims make sweet flat bread during Eid al-Fitr near the Jama Mosque at the old quarters of New Delhi, India, Monday, May 25, 2020. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, a usually joyous three-day celebration has been significantly toned down as coronavirus cases soar. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
“Eid Mubarak!” Modi tweeted. “May this special occasion further the spirit of compassion, brotherhood and harmony. May everyone be healthy and prosperous,” he said.
New cases and deaths from COVID-19 were rising in Bangladesh, which has 33,000 cases and 480 deaths.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered Eid greetings but stressed the need for maintaining health guidelines and for individuals to stay safe.
“Your safety is in your hands. Remember that if you remain safe, you are also keeping your family, neighbors and the country safe,” she said in an address to the nation.
Associated Press journalist Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi contributed to this report.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani's former longtime interpreter agreed Friday to undergo court-ordered gambling addiction treatment after federal prosecutors accused him of stealing $16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
The initial federal court appearance by Ippei Mizuhara marked the first time the interpreter has been seen in public since the scandal exploded last month.
From the field at Dodger Stadium hours after Friday's proceeding, Ohtani said he was “very grateful” for the investigation and would focus on baseball going forward.
Mizuhara exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani to plunder millions from the two-way player’s account for years, at times impersonating Ohtani to bankers, prosecutors said.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of one count of bank fraud.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero ordered Mizuhara to seek the treatment as a condition of his bond in the sports betting case. Michael G. Freedman, the interpreter's attorney, said his client had planned to do so anyway.
While he is best known as Ohtani’s voice in ballparks across the country, Mizuhara only spoke on Friday to answer the judge’s questions, saying “yes” when Audero asked if he understood several parts of the case.
Mizuhara hopes to “reach an agreement with the government to resolve this case as quickly as possible so that he can take responsibility," Freedman said in a statement issued after the hearing ended.
He added that his client “wishes to apologize to Mr. Ohtani, the Dodgers, Major League Baseball, and his family.”
A criminal complaint filed Thursday detailed the alleged scheme through evidence that included text messages, financial records and recordings of phone calls. Mizuhara’s winning bets totaled over $142 million, which he deposited in his own bank account and not Ohtani’s. But his losing bets were around $183 million, a net loss of nearly $41 million. He did not wager on baseball.
Other bond conditions stipulate that Mizuhara cannot gamble, either electronically or in-person, go inside any gambling establishments or associate with any known bookmakers.
Mizuhara was released after the hearing on an unsecured $25,000 bond, colloquially known as a signature bond, meaning he did not have to put up any cash or collateral to be freed. If he violates the bond conditions, he will be on the hook for $25,000.
The judge noted his family ties and longtime residency in the Los Angeles area and self-surrender Friday morning when she approved the bond. She also mentioned that he did not have a criminal record.
While Ohtani's name was never mentioned during the hearing, his presence loomed large over the roughly 10-minute proceeding inside a courtroom packed with press, much of it Japanese media. The judge and prosecutor only briefly referenced the baseball star as “the victim.”
But hours later, Ohtani spoke to the Los Angeles Times ahead of the team’s game against the San Diego Padres about the controversy, saying he very grateful for the Department of Justice’s investigation.”
“For me personally, this marks a break from this, and I’d like to focus on baseball,” he told the newspaper through a new interpreter.
In a group interview with reporters after the Dodgers' 8-7 loss to the San Diego Padres in 11 innings, Ohtani did not take questions about the investigation.
A Dodgers public relations staff member said, “We’re talking about baseball.”
There was no evidence that Ohtani was involved in or aware of Mizuhara’s gambling, and the player is cooperating with investigators, authorities said.
MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering on baseball, even legally. MLB also bans betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.
The Los Angeles Times and ESPN broke the news of the prosecution last month, prompting the Dodgers to fire the interpreter and MLB to open its own investigation.
On Friday before the Padres game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was happy Ohtani has not been implicated in the case and everyone can move forward. He has not seen the investigation affect Ohtani or anyone else on the team, he added.
“He’s handled it with flying colors. He’s done a great job of just focusing on playing baseball and not letting it be a distraction for him,” Roberts said. “Our guys, as well, have handled it really well as far as that noise and not letting it affect play.
“I think for us, we’ve already moved past it, to be quite honest with you. He addressed us earlier, we felt good about it and supported him. Nothing has changed," Roberts said.
Ohtani proved Roberts correct hours later when he hit his 175th home run in MLB, tying Hideki Matsui for the most by a Japan-born player.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy contributed to this report.
In this courtroom sketch, Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani appears in federal court in Los Angeles, Friday, April 12, 2024, on a single count of bank fraud. Prosecutors allege that Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling bets and debts. (Bill Robles via AP)
In this courtroom sketch, Ippei Mizuhara, front left, the former longtime interpreter for baseball player Shohei Ohtani, is joined by his attorney, Michael G. Freedman, in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria A. Audero in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2024. Mizuhara, charged with a single count of bank fraud, was ordered to undergo gambling addiction treatment. (Bill Robles via AP)
In this courtroom sketch, Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for the Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani appears in federal court in Los Angeles, Friday, April 12, 2024, on a single count of bank fraud. Prosecutors allege that Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani to cover gambling bets and debts. (Bill Robles via AP)
Attorney for Ippei Mizuhara, Michael G. Freedman, leaves federal court in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2024. A federal judge on Friday ordered the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani released on $25,000 bond and mandated he undergo gambling addiction treatment. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Attorney for Ippei Mizuhara, Michael G. Freedman, leaves federal court in Los Angeles on Friday, April 12, 2024. A federal judge on Friday ordered the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani released on $25,000 bond and mandated he undergo gambling addiction treatment. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A news crew reports from outside federal court on Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
News crews line up outside federal court for Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A news crew waits outside federal court for Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
News crews wait outside federal court for Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Security stands on the steps outside federal court waiting for Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
News crews wait outside federal court for Ippei Mizuhara, the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. Mizuhara is charged with federal bank fraud, alleging that he stole more than $16 million from the Japanese sensation to cover gambling bets and debts, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, center, announces charges against the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during a news conference Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ippei Mizuhara is being charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the Japanese sensation, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, center, announces charges against the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during a news conference Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ippei Mizuhara is being charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the Japanese sensation, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Eddy Wang, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge, left, arrives for a news conference where U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced charges against Ippei Mizuhara, former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, left, arrives for a news conference where he announced charges against the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during a news conference Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ippei Mizuhara is being charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the Japanese sensation, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announces charges against the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during a news conference Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ippei Mizuhara is being charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the Japanese sensation, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announces charges against the former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani during a news conference Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. Ippei Mizuhara is being charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the Japanese sensation, federal authorities said. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
FILE - Ippei Mizuhara stands next to Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani and translates during an interview at Dodger Stadium on Feb. 3, 2024. The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the slugger. Federal authorities announced the development Thursday, April 11, at a press conference in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani walks with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara at batting practice during spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix on Feb. 12, 2024. The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the slugger. Federal authorities announced the development Thursday, April 11, at a press conference in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, right, and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, leave after a news conference ahead of a baseball workout at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, March 16, 2024. The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been charged with federal bank fraud for crimes involving gambling debts and theft of millions of dollars from the slugger. Federal authorities announced the development Thursday, April 11, at a press conference in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
