Jamshedpur Eid-ul-Fitr prayers for harmony and goodwill

Jamshedpur, May 3: The city on Tuesday, celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional fervour and gaiety as followers of Islam welcomed the auspicious day. Namaz (prayers) were offered in different mosques across the city.

Like every year Sakchi, Jama Masjid recorded the highest turnout of the Muslims for prayers. The Azadnagar (Mango) Dhatkidih and Jugsalai, the Muslim populated areas of the Steel city, rejoiced 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 Sakchi maintained tight vigil on the street.

Mohammed Nizam-ul Haq, Muslim cleric 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,“ he noted.

People of all age groups including youngsters were seen in new clothes including `kurta pyjama’ along with traditional ‘topi’ for the occasion. The traditional `kemami sewai’ was served by the Muslims to visitors coming to their houses who savoured the delicacy prepared using sugar, milk, khoya and dry fruits.

Along with this other traditional items like dahi bada, chole, pakodi, phulki and non vegetarian items like the biryani, shami kabab and korma were served to the guests said a resident of Jugsalai, Mohammed Shariq.

“We keep shops open at night during the Eid fortnight. This is a big festival and we register a heavy sale every year,” said Annu, a shopkeeper. Not only garments and sweet shops were full of buyers, the mehendi and gift shops also witnessed huge crowds.

However, the mouth-watering sewain-based dishes prepared on Eid are also a reason for the happiness of kids and adults.Sheeba a resident of Dhatkidih said, “Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid is an occasion of brotherhood and harmony, a time to love friends and forgive opponents.”  She added that she would be preparing ‘sheer khurma’, ‘lachha’ and ‘Benarasi sewain’, on Eid. She added that the festival of Eid symbolises brotherhood and unity.