National
Id celebrated with gaiety
By Our Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI, DEC. 17. Special prayers, exchange of greetings and gifts and acts of charity marked Id-ul-Fitr which was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in the Capital today.
It was amid tight security and enhanced vigil - in the light of the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament House - that the main prayers were held at the historic Jama Masjid and the Fatehpuri Mosque. As a precautionary measure, security was tight at a majority of the mosques.
Attired in their traditional best, thousands of Muslims across the city assembled in mosques in their neighbourhood. Many flocked to the Jama Masjid and the Fatehpuri Mosque which hold special significance for Muslims.
While the Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, led the prayers at the Jama Masjid, Mufti Mohammad Mukarram held prayers at the Fatehpuri Mosque. People prayed for peace and prosperity.
The markets in Okhla and Jamia Nagar were decorated and ``qawwali'' programmes held at various places in the night. The narrow lanes and bylanes of the Walled City wore a festive look and similar was the case with the Okhla area.
As a special gesture, the Archaeological Survey of India threw open mosques inside monuments such as Feroz Shah Kotla for holding special prayer meetings. After the meeting, Muslims - old and young alike - were seen greeting each other with ``Id Mubarak''. People from other religions went to their Muslim friends to greet them.
Muslim leaders greet PM
PTI reports:
Prominent Muslim leaders today called on the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, at his residence and wished him on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.
A group of children from `Prayas', an NGO for uplift of street children, presented a bouquet to Mr. Vajpayee and took a pledge in his presence to safeguard national unity and integrity and maintain peace and communal harmony.
Peaceful Id in Valley
In Srinagar, Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated throughout the Kashmir valley with religious fervour and gaiety today. Dressed in their colourful best, Muslims thronged mosques and other religious places, including shrines and `khankahs,' to offer special prayers. The prayers held as a thanks-giving to Allah, passed off peacefully.
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