New Delhi: Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across the country today.
Dressed in traditional kurta pyjamas and wearing skull cap, lakhs of Muslims thronged mosques in the morning and offered special prayers (Namaz) for peace and harmony in the country. Later, they hugged each other wishing ‘Eid Mubarak’.
In Delhi, the main congregations were held at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid and Shahi Eidgah. Speaking on the occasion, the Imams, who led the prayers appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony and prayed for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Similar joyful scenes were also witnessed in Lucknow. The main prayers were held at the Eidgah in Aishbagh in the state capital, where thousands of Muslims offered Namaz in the morning. This was for the first time that women were also allowed to offer Namaz at the Aishbagh Eidgah, where separate arrangements were made for the female devotees to offer their maiden prayers. In Agra, hundreds of Muslims attended Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Taj Mahal mosque.
In Mumbai, celebrations spilled onto the streets by sharing the Eid special sweet dish ‘Sheer-korma’, a preparation of milk with vermicelli and generous sprinkling of dry fruits, and later biryanis and other delicacies.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the nation on the occasion.
"On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to my fellow citizens, particularly to all Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad," the President said in his message.
Mukherjee said the festival marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, a month of prayer, blessings and forgiveness. "Let us on this occasion rededicate ourselves to the service of humanity and share our happiness with the poor and needy."
He said Eid celebrations will reinforce the nation's commitment to mutual goodwill and inspire everyone to follow the path of love and universal brotherhood.
The Prime Minister said that the festival will help strengthen the spirit of harmony and peace in society.
"My greetings and best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this special day deepen the spirit of harmony and peace in society," the Prime Minister said in his message.
He also conveyed greetings to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Iran's Hassan Rouhani.
"Spoke to President Rouhani, President Ghani, PM Nawaz Sharif, PM Sheikh Hasina and President Yameen and greeted them on Eid," he added.
Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements were in place across the country to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the festival.
In Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated yesterday.
