Date:10/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/2008121058630300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Gaiety marks Bakrid

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Festive : Muslim community members offering special prayers in Mysore on the occasion of Bakrid on Tuesday.

MYSORE: Gaiety marked Bakrid celebrations in the city with nearly 30,000 devout Muslims gathering at the Idgah Maidan for special prayers on Tuesday.

The prayers were conducted by Usman Shariff, who is the Sir Khazi of Mysore. Speakers on the occasion dwelt on the importance of communal harmony while condemning the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

Attributing the attacks on certain elements with the ulterior motive of sowing seeds of communal disharmony, Taj Mohammad Khan, Idgah Committee Secretary, called for isolating them and curbing their menace in society.

Mr. Shariff spoke about the message of peace in Islam, and said no religion preached terrorism. He called for launching a united struggle to fight such forces.

At the Idgah Maidan in Rajiv Nagar over 10,000 people, including MLA Tanveer Sait and Mayor Ayub Khan, assembled for prayers. There was elaborate security at sensitive places.