Jamshedpur, June 26: The city celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional fervor and gaiety as followers of Islam welcomed the auspicious day on Monday.
Namaz (prayers) was offered in different mosques across the city.
Like every year Sakchi, Jama Masjid recorded highest turnout of the Muslims for prayers. The Azadnagar (Mango) Dhatkidih and Jugsalai, the Muslim populated areas of the Steel city, rejoiced in music with young generation especially celebrating most of the day.
Old and young dressed in new clothes greeted each other and exchanged gifts on the occasion. The city witnessed a trend of change with Gen-next adopting the fashion statement even in the remote and highly conservative pockets of Muslims. Special sweet dishes such as �sewayian�, made of vermicelli, were also offered.
The district administration had made enough arrangements for smooth and peaceful celebration of the festival with several magistrates being deployed at strategic locations to ensure law and order. The police particularly, in Azadnagar Mango, Jugsalai and Saatchi maintained tight vigil on the street.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das also wished people on Id-ul-fitr. He also visited the community in Bhalubasa about a km from his Agrico residence to wish people personally. “I am really very happy to be here. I wish all my Muslim brothers a happy Id-ul-fitr. May the festival bring peace and prosperity into their lives,” said Das in his short message to the group of people from the community he visited in Bhalubasa.
S R A Rizwi Chabban a senior Congress leader said that the month of Ramadan is historically associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad – the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah. The festival is significant as much for its timing, as for its religious implications.
�Charity and giving alms to the poor is the way of life for Muslims during Ramzan. Platters of delicious cuisines are prepared in every Muslim household across the country. Eid is such an enriching occasion that non-Muslims are also seen taking part in this joyous and thanksgiving festival whole-heartedly,� said Chabban.
Eid is a festival of joy and happiness as it comes after a month long fasting during holy Ramzan. This festival has become an integral part of the composite culture of the city. Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset and it culminates in Id-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Today was a day of celebration, feasting and prayers, but above all a time to spend with family. As the sun rose after a joyous chaand-raat, Muslims made their way to mosques in new clothes. Masjid folded thousands of worshippers into its courtyard at prayer time. As the air echoed with special prayers, heads bowed down in sajdah.