New Delhi/Kolkata/Mumbai: India, home to one of the largest Muslim
population in the world, celebrated Eid on Saturday with traditional
fervour as the pious offered special prayers across the country,
marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting by the followers of
Islam.
The Muslims thronged Eidgahs and mosque and offered
prayers as the male members of the community embraced each other to
foster brotherhood and spread the message of love and unity.
In Delhi, Syed Bukhari, Imam of the historic Jama Masjid, greeted the people as the mosque ground teemed with the devout.
In Kolkata, the celebrations were across the city. From offering prayer
on the Red Road to visits to the mosques, the mood was upbeat
everywhere.
Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief
Mamata Banerjee participated in the festival and visited many places
during the day.
In Mumbai, Eid was celebration amid a high
security alert after reports that terrorists have sneaked in and might
foment trouble.
In the Kashmir valley, after days of unrest, people celebrated Eid.
The day was preceded by frenzied shopping as the Kashmiris flocked to
the markets and shops to make festive purchases after curfew was
relaxed.
In neighbouring Pakistan, media report s said, the
country’s worst floods that affected more than 21 million people, led
to austere celebrations this year.
The biggest Eid gathering was held in Lahore at the historic Badshahi Mosque.
Eid prayers were also held at Data Darbar, Masjid Shuhada, Masjid Wazir
Khan, Jamia Mosque Tehrik Minhaj-ul-Quran and Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lawrence
Road.
Bringing an end to Ramazan, it should be an occasion for
family celebration and gift giving, but for Pakistan’s poor and hungry
flood survivors, this year’s holiday offers more rain and little joy,
wrote Geo TV.
The report quoted flood survivors saying this
year’s festival offers no respite from their grim reality, as they
recall instead golden memories of Eid celebrations back home. “We had
our own houses, buffalos and crops. We would celebrate at home with joy
and enthusiasm,” 45-year-old farmer Haji Hussain told the channel.
In USA, President Barack Obama greeted Muslims on Eid after he got a
breather when the Flordia pastor who had announced to burn copies of
the holy Koran to mark the 9/11 anniversary abandoned the plan.