Muslims celebrated Id-ul-Fitr, Festival of Charity, which marks the end of holy fasting month of Ramzan, with gaiety and religious fervour in Tiruchi district on Tuesday.
A large number of Muslims clad in new attire assembled at Idgahs and mosques across in the morning and offered special thanksgiving khutba namaaz.
A large congregation of Muslims participated in the special khutba prayers in the Idgah maidan situated in the heart of Tiruchi.
The Ramzan prayers held the Hazrath Table Alam Badsha Nathaharvali Dargah Mosque, Big Chowk Nawab Mosque, Palakkarai N.M. Mosque, Tennur High Road Mosque, Arabic College Mosque, and Jamal Mohamed College Mosque were attended by hundreds of Muslims.
Religious leaders, who led the prayers, explained the uniqueness of Ramzan fasting and exhorted the Muslims to work for promoting communal amity.
Special dua was recited for world peace at the end. People from other religions greeted the Muslims at the end of the prayers.
The highlight of Ramzan Id is the special poor rate (Fitra) being given to the poor. This charity given on the day of Id, enables even the underprivileged to participate in the celebrations. Muslims before attending prayers distributed the poor rate.
Then, the first celebrations started with a bowl of “sheer-khurma”, the special Id sweet preparation made of milk, vermicelli, and dates, assorted dry fruits and saffron, eaten with relish and served to visitors through the day.
“The Id will not be complete without sheer-khurma and women take special interest in preparing this to suit the celebrations,” says Tabassum Sulthana, a housewife of R.V.S. Nagar in the city.
The youths were seen collecting Idi , gifts from the elders, by visiting the houses of relatives after the prayers.
“We the elders are delighted in handing over ‘Idi’ to children on this day”, says Layaq Ali, a retired official.
