Religious fervour and gaiety marked Id-ul-Fitr celebrations in the districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada on Monday with thousands participating in mass prayers at various Idgah Maidans.
Id-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, is celebrated with religious fervour by the members of Muslim community. Thousands of people offered mass prayers at the Idgah Maidans across the major cities and towns of the four districts, where Muslim religious heads addressed the gatherings.
Subsequently, the devout Muslims donated money and gifts to the poor, which is an integral part of the celebrations. Hundreds waited near the Idgah Maidans to receive the donations. Members of some of the mosque committees also sought donations on the occasion.
At the two Idgah Maidans in the communally sensitive Hubballi, a large number of people offered namaz. The Idgah Maidan located adjacent to the landmark Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi saw a large turnout despite various restrictions imposed on movement of people and vehicles for security reasons.
Led by religious head, Moulana Zahiruddin Kaji, thousands offered namaz and also offered special prayer for rain. The former Minister A.M. Hindasageri, the former President of Anjuman-e-Islam Mohammed Yousuf Savanur, Chairman of Hubballi Dharwad Urban Development Authority Anwar Mudhol, Congress leader Babajan Mudhol and others were among the participants.
Non-Muslim leaders, including MLA Prasad Abbayya, Chairman of NWKRTC Sadanand Danganavar, and others greeted the Muslim brethren after the prayers. As it has been a practice, several Muslim leaders visited Moorusavir Math to exchange greetings. At the Old Hubballi Idgah Maidan, Moulana Niyaz Alam conducted the mass prayer.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place at both the venues in Hubballi and restrictions on movement of vehicles and people were withdrawn after the mass prayers.
