The Muslims in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as also in the entire Telangana State, celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting, with religious fervor and gaiety.
Lakhs of Muslims participated in special collective prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid at Charminar in the Old City and several Eidgahs and mosques. The other major gatherings were seen at Mir Alam Eidgah, Ek Minar at Nampally, Eidgahs at Madannapet, Chilkalguda, Ujale Shah, Eidgah Bilali AC Guards and Saat Gumbad.
Muslims offered ‘Namaz-e-Eid’ at Eidgahs and mosques and exchanged “Eid Mubarak” greetings with each other and hugged affectionately. Wearing new clothes and skull caps, men and children offered prayers at hundreds of Eidgahs and mosques in Nizamabad, Adilabad, Bhainsa, Karimnagar, Warangal, Mahboobnagar in Telangana and Kurnool, Guntur, Vijayawada, Kadapa, Anantapur and Tirupati and other towns in Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing the gatherings, priests exhorted Muslims to strengthen their relation with the holy Quran and continue the pious deeds of Ramadan.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner Mahendar Reddy made elaborate security arrangements in the Old City and other parts of Hyderabad. He said over 15,000 police constables were deployed in various parts of the twin cities for the occasion. Vehicular traffic was diverted at several points around Eidgahs in Hyderabad for smooth conduct of prayers. Scenes of communal harmony were witnessed at Eidgahs with public representatives of various political parties, top police and civil officials reaching there to greet their Muslim brethren. (NSS)
MUSLIMS CELEBRATE RAMZAN WITH GAIETY
