DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, Mar 31
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional gaiety across the Jammu and Kashmir on Monday amid tight security arrangements, with a large number of people gathering at different Eidgahs to pray for peace.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the period of fasting, prayer and charity during the holy month of Ramzan, culminating in an occasion for festivities, joy and togetherness.
On the eve of Eid, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah greeted the people on the Union Territory.
On Monday, the largest congregation was held at the eidgah on Residency Road in Jammu, followed by the Mecca Masjid and the Jama Masjid Khatikan Talab, where hundreds of Muslims offered Eid prayers in the morning.
Muftis and religious scholars spoke about the significance of the day, explaining the philosophy behind the customary sacrifice.
“I want to extend my wishes to everyone on Eid, the festival of happiness. There’s a tradition in Jammu where people come together during religious functions,” Mufti Anayat Tullah, head priest of the Jama Masjid in Jammu, said.
Emphasising the love and brotherhood among various communities in Jammu, he said, “I hope this bond of love continues. I want to appeal to everyone — do not fall into the trap of those spreading hate.”
In Kashmir region, the biggest gathering of Eid prayers was held at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake. Chief ministers Omar Abdullah, his father and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti were among those who offered prayers at the holiest shrine in Kashmir.
Omar said that he joined thousands in offering Eid prayers at Hazratbal with his father and prayed for peace and prosperity for the people of J&K and Ladakh.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti congratulated people on Eid but expressed sorrow over the situation in Palestine and the “oppression” faced by Muslims in India.
“We pray to Allah to free all humanity, especially the Muslim Ummah, from oppression and bring peace with dignity to Jammu and Kashmir,” she told reporters after the Eid prayers.
A large congregation of Eid prayers was held in all districts of the valley.
Officials said the Eid congregational prayers were held peacefully across Kashmir.
During Eid sermons, the Imams in several parts of Kashmir raised their voice against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, which the Government of India intends to table in the Parliament. The call to raise the issue of Waqf was given by Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), the largest representative forum of religious organisations in Jammu & Kashmir.
Scenes of communal harmony were noticed at various other places in the Jammu division, including Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua.
Authorities had made adequate arrangements of security and sanitation at various prayer grounds to ensure that the devotees did not face any inconvenience while offering their prayers.
Eid prayers have peacefully ended at all the places in Jammu and Kashmir, and no report of any untoward incident has come from anywhere.
