The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour at Idgahs across the district on Thursday. Eid ul-Fitr, the ‘festival of breaking the fast,’ marked the end of the strict fasting observed by Muslims over the last month of Ramadan during which they abstained from eating or drinking between dawn and dusk. An air of confusion had prevailed regarding the date of celebration of Eid, resulting in the Sunni community deciding to celebrate it on July 7 while Shia community celebrated on July 6. The festivities lasted till mid night with people wishing and greeting each other on
the pious occasion. The
holy city was drenched in the festive spirit. The decorated mosques added to the religious splendor.
The Chief Minister Harish Rawat participated in the Eid Namaz held at 10 30 am in Jwalapur Idgah. He greeted the Muslims who had come to offer their prayers.
At the Eid congregations, special prayers were offered for the progress, prosperity, development, security and stability of the country. As many as 10,000 faithfuls gathered at Jwalapur Idgah amidst tight security.
The SSP of Haridwar Rajeev Swaroop said, “Ample arrangements were made for Eid celebrations. Regular police patrolling and other required security measures were made for the festival. Also steps were taken to ensure smooth flow of traffic at the crossings leading to the mosques. For the visit of the CM we had made arrangements for his visiting the Jwalapur areas.”
To mark Eid-ul-Fitr, a great deal of rush was witnessed in the markets of Jwalapur and Haridwar for the past two days. A majority of the shoppers consisted of the women and children who showed keen interest in shopping for garments, glass bangles, artificial jewellery items. Muslim women were seen getting henna designed on their hands in Jwalapur. All the Masjids in the district decorated in their full splendor witnessed the festive occasion, followed by acts of charity.
Maulana Naqvi told The Pioneer that Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion. The fasting during Ramadan reminds one of the suffering of the poor and extends an opportunity to all to practise self-control and cleanse the body, mind and spirit. Eid marked the end of the disciplinary practice with tens of thousands of faithfuls from Suni community offering ‘Namaz’ at the sprawling Idgah near the Paondhoi Idgah in Jwalapur on Thursday while the Shia people had already performed Eid Namaz at Idgah of Ahbab Nagar a day before. Prayers were also organised at mosques of Sector 1 BHEl and Katehra Bazar of Jwalapur on Thursday.
People belonging to other religions also participated in Eid celebrations. Elderly people, youngsters, especially children were seen embracing and greeting one another in the streets of Jwalapur after offering of Namaz.
Every house of Muslim family had special delicacies being cooked on the occasion, including the traditional sweets ‘Sewain’ and ‘Sheerkorma’. Chat pakodas were also savoured by the visitors. Month of Ramadan or Ramzan as it is commonly called here is the month of forgiveness. Everyone gets a chance to get one’s sins pardoned. We pray for the prosperity of the state and the country on Eid-ul-fitr. In their sermons, the religious scholars highlighted the significance and philosophy of Eid-ul- Fitr and the need to share its joys with the poor, shared one of the participants at Eid -ul- Fitr celebrations.
Since the festival is based on the lunar calendar, the sighting of moon determines the end of Ramadan. For Shia Muslims it was a 29-day Ramadan, and Sunis did fast on 30th day celebrating Eid the next day.
This festival highlights the brighter side of Islam. The youngsters received ‘idi’ (gift items) from elders. People greeted each other ‘Eid Mubarak’, exchanged sweets and offered ‘Zakat’ (alms) to the poor.
