MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, 15 October 2007 — The Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of a month of fasting, was celebrated with religious fervor and traditional festivity across most of India yesterday with prayers, feasts and loads of shopping.

Eid was celebrated amid tight security in Hyderabad as the recent blasts cast a shadow on the festivities with relatively low turnout of the devout at the historic Mecca Masjid, where the blast during Friday prayers on May 18 had killed nine people.

While Eid was celebrated in Maharashtra without any untoward incident amid tight police security following threats of the festival being disrupted by terror acts.

Muslims thronged mosques to offer special prayers early in the morning. Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid looked spectacular as thousands of people, mostly clad in white, offered congregational Eid prayers. Prayers were also held in small mosques across the capital. At the end of the prayers, worshippers were seen embracing each other with greetings of “Eid Mubarak” in a spirit of universal brotherhood, peace and love.

The area around Jama Masjid wore a festive look with people attired in colorful clothes, especially children, crowding the street. The picture at the busy Chandni Chowk in the walled city was no different. Bazaars were crowded with people buying gifts for their near and dear ones. Makeshift perfume shops also saw a large number of customers.

“Eid Al-Fitr is a day of offering gratitude, a day to remember your loved ones, a day of peace and a day to share your joy with others,” said Mohammed Saadiq, a resident of Old Delhi.

Eid was celebrated with equal fervor in Hyderabad and across Andhra Pradesh as thousands of Muslims offered prayers at Eidgah (open prayer ground) and hundreds of mosques in the state capital amid tight security. The biggest congregation was at the historic Mir Alam Eidgah, where an estimated 300,000 people offered Eid prayers. Prominent religious scholar Moulana Hameeduddin Auqil Hussami delivered the sermon while imam of Mecca Masjid Moulana Abdullah Qureshi Al-Azhari led the prayers.

Massive security arrangements were made for the Eid prayers at all Eidgahs and hundreds of mosques in Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad.

The sense of insecurity among citizens was heightened following the Aug 25 twin blasts at a park and a popular food joint that killed 44 people. The frequent checking and heavy police presence had their impact on the Eid shopping in the old city, famous for its centuries-old markets.

However, the road from Musi River to the historic Charminar was abuzz with activity yesterday as thousands did last minute shopping for the festival.

Scenes of communal harmony were witnessed as non-Muslims greeted Muslims near Eidgahs and mosques immediately after the prayers. They also visited the houses of their Muslims friends to greet them on the occasion. Eid was also celebrated with traditional fervor in all major towns of the state.

In Maharashtra, policemen in plainclothes and uniform, intelligence officials, ambulances, fire brigade, dog squads, teams of forensic experts, bomb detection and disposal squads (BDDS) and allied security personnel were stationed at mosques, graveyards and Eidgahs from morning, to ensure that complete security cover was provided at these places to thwart any terror acts. Cell phones were complete banned. Strict surveillance and vigil was kept on people as a precautionary measure. Muslim volunteers assisted and cooperated with the police personnel in security matters. Tight security measures enabled Muslims to celebrate Eid with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm across the state, particularly in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and Nagpur.

In the khutbahs, Muslim clerics urged the community to remain united and to follow the principles of Islam as specified in the glorious Qur’an and to practice as what was followed by Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him). The clerics in their address stressed upon the need to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood with the majority Hindu community and help in creating unity in the country. “Islam means peace and brotherhood, and as a Muslim it is our fundamental duty to be loving to every community,” said Maulana Zubair of Mumbai.

Police and the civic administration in various sensitive districts of the state remained in a state of high alert to tackle any emergency. Policemen were seen extending greetings to the Muslims after the Eid prayers were over.

The police and some social organizations had put up banners, extending it wishes to the Muslims near the mosques and Eidgahs and were also distributing roses to children and elderly Muslims.

In Nashik, Eid prayers at the historical Emperor Shah Jahan Eidgah grounds stressed the message of Muslim-Hindu unity. More than 700 Hindu community members had assembled outside the grounds to extend Eid wishes to the Muslims. Eid was also celebrated in joy and peace in the sensitive town of Malegaon.

— With input from IANS