There was a festive cheer in the national Capital on Tuesday as people in the city celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr by offering prayers at mosques, exchanging greetings and gifts and taking part in feasts with friends and family. People of all ages, dressed in their festive best, turned up at historic Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Hazrat Nizamuddin and other mosques in the city to offer special prayers on the festival marking the culmination of holy fasting month of Ramzan.
Soon after the namaz was over at the mosques, people hugged each other and one could hear a chorus of Eid Mubarak in the area. Being the time when the most delicious food is served, everyone was seen enjoying the sewaiyan made of vermicelli and different varieties of biryani and kebabs after exchanging gifts with their loved ones. Elders gave eidi (token money) to children as people visited relatives and gave out alms to the needy. Markets in various areas in the city were decked up on the occasion which is considered to be one of the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar.
However, keeping in mind the safety of people, Delhi Police strengthened security in and around the mosques. Moreover, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his message on the eve of the festival, the President said, “I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens, particularly to my Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad.”
Modi hoped that the festival will strengthen the bond of peace, unity and brotherhood in the country. “Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious day strengthen the bond of peace, unity and brotherhood across our nation,” the Prime Minister said in his message. Delhi lt Governor Najeeb Jung too greeted people on the festival.