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Ramzan celebrated with fervour

Staff Reporter

Mosques at Eluru Road, Wynchipet and theidgahat Chittinagar buzzed with activity

ID MUBARAK: Muslims greet each other at Chittinagar Idgah on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr in Vijayawada on Friday . PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

VIJAYAWADA: Overpowered by the spirit of camaraderie, devotees emerged from the mosque greeting each other with warmth and affection. Clad in spotless white traditional kurta-pyjama and sporting a skullcap on their heads, they let themselves soak in the air of festivity that engulfed the city on Friday.

Even while the devout got busy extending Id greetings to people outside the idgah with a Salam Valikum or Id Mubarak, frail-looking individuals slowly began to trickle in, forming a queue that stretched till the main road. Most of them were in tatters and struggled to grab the attention of the Muslim devotees for zakat, a sort of charity or alms that every Muslim contributes on his and other family members behalf. It is mandatory for a true Muslim to part with 2.5 per cent of his possession in the form of zakat.

Period of challenge

Id-ul-fitr is a culmination of the month-long endurance test roza that necessitates Muslims to forgo food water any other addictions like consumption of tobacco and alcohol. It is period of great challenge - challenge to overcome strong temptations that abound the world we live in.

Mosques and idgahs across the city witnessed a steady stream of devotees visiting to offer thanksgiving to Allah. Muslim households buzzed with activity with women keeping themselves busy in the kitchen preparing a grand community meal, children frolicked around in dazzling clothes and badgering the elders in the family for Idi, an age-old custom that makes the younger lot richer by a few hundreds.

Festive atmosphere

Mosques at Eluru Road, Wynchipet and other places and the idgah at Chittinagar buzzed with activity.

Addressing a gathering of devotees at the Gymkhana Grounds after offering the prayers, Maulana Abdul Wahid Madani said Islam preached peace and brotherhood. He said the mass killings being carried out in the name of jehad were against the tenets of Islam.

New clothes, good food and family gatherings notwithstanding, the devotees made sure that the essence of Id remained intact.

Shopping spree

GUNTUR: After a month-long fasting, Muslims in Guntur city celebrated Id-ul-Fitr with religious fervour and gaiety.

Many shops, which usually closed early, were kept open till late Thursday night. The roads and markets were crowded as there was a heavy rush for last minute shopping.

Many houses and mosques wore a festive look. Houses were illuminated and political leaders, cutting across party lines, greeted people on the occasion.

Officials and clerics from Anjuman-e-Islamia in Guntur led the prayers at Idgah in Nagarampalem. Traffic movement on either side of the road was closed for a few hours by the authorities to enable people to offer prayers.

Hundreds of men and young boys, dressed in new clothes were seen at the Idgah offering prayers. Later they exchanged pleasantries, distributed sweets and met their friends and relatives. Many also displayed their happiness by bursting firecrackers in the evening.

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