Shadow Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 31:
Eid prayers were offered on Monday throughout Jammu and Kashmir with the largest congregation of devotees offering these prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.
Thousands of devout Muslims gathered at various Eidgahs throughout the union territory (UT), offering thanksgiving prayers on Eid-ul-Fitr following the completion of the holy Ramzan month of fasting.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former CM Farooq Abdullah joined the devotees at the Hazratbal shrine to offer Eid prayers.
Children accompanied their fathers to many places, wearing new clothes to display their joy on the occasion.
Eid prayers were also offered at various other places in Srinagar city as well as all other districts of Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam in the Valley.
In Jammu, the largest Eid gathering was seen at the Eidgah ground in the city, where hundreds of Muslims offered Eid prayers.
Hindu and Sikh friends and neighbours greeted their Muslim friends and neighbours on the occasion.
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.
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional gaiety across the Jammu region 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.”
