Muslims across the central region celebrated Id-ul-Fitr, a festival of charity, with usual gaiety and fervour on Friday.
Id-ul-Fitr marked the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramzan.
A large number of Muslims clad in new attire assembled at Idgahs and mosques across the eight central districts and in Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry 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 NM Mosque, Tennur High Road Mosque, Arabic College Mosque, Jamal Mohamed College Mosque, Subramaniapuram Jailania 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. Beyond the mosques, the greetings and hugs were extended to non-Muslim brethren.
Then, the first celebrations started with a bowl of sheer-korma , 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.
Elsewhere in the central districts, the festival was celebrated with gusto in Muslim-dominated areas.
In Thanjavur, a large number of Muslims offered prayers in the Jumma Mosque on the banks of the Grand Anicut canal in the heart of the town, and in the Medical College Road Mosque, Maharnombuchavadi Mosque and Ayyankadai Mosque.
In Pudukottai, Muslims offered prayers in the Idgah maidan on A.R. police ground road.
Earlier, the members of the Tiruvarul Peravai, took out a communal harmony rally from near the fire service station to Idgah maidan. People belonging to different faiths participated in the rally and exchanged greetings with the Muslims at the end of the prayers.
Muslims participated in special prayers held in the mosques in the districts of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Karur, Perambalur, and Ariyalur too.
This year Ramzan festival was unique as it was celebrated on a Friday.
The morning prayers were followed by similar special Friday prayers later in the afternoon, making the Eid-ul-Fitr this year rare and memorable.
