Traditional fervour marked Eid celebrations in the state capital on Monday, even as people in some places wore black armbands in protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill, which a majority of community members view as an attempt to dilute their ownership of scores of properties in the country.
Special Eid prayers were held at Eidgah and several of the larger mosques in the city, including Taj-ul-Masjid, Jama Masjid, and Moti Masjid.
Leading the largest congregation at Eidgah, Shahr Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi delivered the sermon, urging youth to focus on character building, avoid substance abuse, and prioritise quality education for their children. He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram) earnings.
The simultaneous observance of Navratri heightened security measures, with over 1,500 police personnel deployed across Bhopal. Authorities utilised drones and CCTV surveillance to monitor activities near major mosques.
At Taj-ul-Masjid, special prayers were held for peace, harmony, and the release of innocents imprisoned on false charges.
At some places, congregations also prayed for peace in Palestine, where civilians continue to be caught in conflict. Posters urging peace in the strife-torn region were also seen outside the Eidgah.
Earlier, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had asked community members to remember Palestinians in their Eid prayers and seek divine intervention for peace in the region.
At Narmadapuram, Eid prayers were led by Qazi Ashfaq Ali and were followed by prayer congregations at five other mosques, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit.
Reports of peaceful and joyous Eid festivities have also been received from all parts of the state, where Muslims prayed, hugged each other, and shared sweets to mark the festival.
Coming after the sighting of the Shawwal moon at the culmination of Ramadan, the month-long period of dawn-to-dusk fasting, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two biggest festivals observed by Sunni Muslims. The Eid prayers are preceded by the mandatory giving of alms, or fitra, to the less fortunate.
