South Asia Celebrates Eid
New Delhi: With feasts, warm “Eid Mubarak” greetings, and prayers for peace Muslims across South Asia celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan.
Tight security was in place across many regions in India to ensure the festival passes off peacefully.
In Assam, singed with the recent communal violence, peace was the focal point of celebrations as thousands of people offered Namaz-e-Eid at mosques across the state, including in the troubled Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts where 77 people have been killed in ethnic clashes and more than four lakh displaced.
Thousands of Muslims participated in special prayers organised at Eidgahs, mosques and open grounds and prayed for lasting peace in Assam, particularly in the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts.
Wearing new clothes and skull caps, men and children offered prayers as Eid was celebrated with traditional fervour in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Kurnool, Guntur, Vijayawada, Kadapa and other towns of Andhra Pradesh.
In New Delhi, Muslims dressed in their finest as they congregated in thousands at mosques all over the city. The centrepiece was the historic Jama Masjid in the walled city.
In Pakistan, a large congregation at Bilawal House for Eid prayers was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, provincial ministers and other officials.
Another congregation was assembled at Polo Ground which was attended by social and religious personalities.
Eid prayers were also held at Makki Masjid, Madni Masjid, Jinnah Ground, Nishter Park, Masjid Kanzaul Iman, Jamia Masjid Binoria Town, Masjid Sajjadia, Imambargah Bu Turab, Imambargah Islamic Research Centre Madinatul Ilm, Imambargah Rizvia, Imambargah Babul Ilm, Imambargah Kharadar, Masjid Ali Raza.
People prayed for national security and prosperity.
About 700 prayer congregations were assembled in Lahore amid tightened security, after which people greeted each other.
Bangladesh celebrated the day on Monday. The National Moon Sighting Committee that sat in the evening did not find any evidence of rise of the crescent moon across the country marking the beginning of the month of Shawal.
photo caption
The historic Charminar in Hyderabad fully decked up for Ramzan. Photo by T.P.Venu
Short URL: http://www.weeklyvoice.com/?p=17110
