Thousands of Muslims on Thursday thronged the Jamiya and Mecca masjids in Chittoor town and offered special prayers, before converging at the Idgah maidan to celebrate the Ramzan festival, ending the month-long fasting.
The festivities saw the Muslims waking up early and commencing Tarab Namaz from 4.00 a.m. onwards at houses and masjids. To commemorate the spirit of love and equality, sweets and semiya were distributed to the poor, besides arranging community luncheons, inviting the Hindu brethren.
Andhra Pradesh Wakf Properties Protection Committee State president M. Afzal Khan said the sacred festival was celebrated with devotion at 1,256 masjids all over the district.
In Madanapalle town, prayers were held in about 50 masjids. Former MLA Shajahan Basha, who conducted the festivities at Jamiya Masjid, observed that Ramzan manifested the spirit of brotherhood.
Leaders of all political parties participated in the festivities visiting the Idgah maidans and greeting Muslim brethren.
Special Correspondent from Kurnool adds:
Women perform namaz
Kurnool MLA S.V. Mohan Reddy and former MLA Erasu Pratap Reddy participated in Ramzan prayers, conducted by Imam Syed Hafiz Mansoor, at the Old Idgah in Kurnool city and extended greetings to Muslims. Imam Syed Zubair Irshad performed prayers at the Sultania Idgah at Santoshnagar inaugurated two days ago.
A few hundred burqa-clad women performed mass Ramzan prayers at Joharapuram where Moulana Yousuf Jami led the prayers. A large number of Muslims also offered prayers at the Idgah near the Government high school at Panyam.
Mutavalli Jamalulla Basha led the Ramzan prayers in Muradia Shahi Idgah at Dandu in Kadapa mandal. In their messages, the Imams said Muslims must perform namaz, speak courteously and help others to invoke Allah’s blessings as indicated in Koran. Muslim women performed namaz in groups near their houses.
Staff Reporter from Ongole adds:
Gala time for children
Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm in Prakasam district.
Wearing new clothes, thousands of devout Muslims participated in the special prayers organised at the Idgah near the Konjeti Bus Stand Centre.
The 400-year-old Jama Masjid was colourfully decorated on the occasion.
Ongole MLA D. Janardhana Rao and MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy were among those who joined the special prayers. It was during the month of Ramzan that the holy Koran was revealed, said Maulana Mohamad Rafi.
Muslims also offered prayers at Idgahs in Markapur, Chirala and Kandukur, among other towns seeking God’s forgiveness and for the well-being of all living beings.
They visited their friends and relatives, embraced each other and exchanged greetings.
They also distributed sweets as part of the celebrations. Children had a gala time getting Id gifts after offering ‘salam’ to parents and elders. The devout Muslims also gave Zakat (alms) to the poor.
