Thiruvananthapuram: Muslims in Kerala celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, with hundreds of faithful thronging mosques and specially arranged Idgahs for the morning prayers in towns and villages across the state.
Giving out the Eid message, religious scholars exhorted the faithful to uphold the Islamic ideals of love, compassion and unflinching faith in the will of Almighty.
In the state capital, Eid namaz at the Payalam mosque in the heart of the city was led by Imam Jamaluddin Manakada. In many places, religious and cultural organisations organised relief and charity programmes for the poor and needy.
Women also turned up for Eid prayer in most towns held in open places under clear sky.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, Indian Union Muslim League leader Panakkad Syyid Hyderali Thangal and leaders of other political parties greeted people on the occasion.