Across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, thousands of joyful Muslims, many of them wearing the conventional kurta-pyjamas, thronged various Masjids and Eid-gahs to offer Eid prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Eid-gah Masjid in Light House Hill, Masjidunnoor in Hampankatta, Taqwa Masjid in Pumpwell, Ibrahim Khaleel Masjid near State Bank and Kachi Memon Masjid in Bunder were overcrowded with devotees. Eid prayers were also held at Central Juma Masjid in and Salsabeel Masjid in Ullal and Huda Masjid in Thokkottu.
In most of the Masjids, the devotees, after offering the Eid prayers, prayed for communal harmony and welfare of the country as well. They also prayed for the victims of violence and barbarism in Syria, Egypt and other parts of the world.
Donning new clothes, Muslims visited houses of their relatives, where they were treated with special sweet dishes. Platters of a variety of delicious cuisines were prepared in Muslim households.
Children dressed in festival attire added colour to the celebrations. People wished Eid Mubarak and hugged each other as a large number of shutterbugs tried to capture the poignant scenes of the festival prayers and greetings.
A large number of women devotees also offered Eid prayer in some of the Masjids. “The number of women participating in Eid prayer has been continuously increasing since last few years thanks to the Islamic awakening in coastal Karnataka”, said Maulana Mujahid Ansari, a cleric.
Message
In his Eid message Mangalore Qazi Twaqa Ahmed Mulsliyar exhorted the Muslims not to forget the lesser privileged people and needy during the festivities. “We have a social responsibility towards the poor and needy. As long as we attend to their problems, God's blessings will continue to shower upon us,” he said.
He said Eid-ul-Fitr is a special gift of Allah to those who keep month long fast and engage themselves in prayers and spiritual cleanliness as per His commandments.
In Udupi Jamia Masjid, the Khatheeb addressing the assemblage, said that Islam encompasses love, affection, compassion and peace. “We have gathered here to offer gratitude to almighty after 30 days of fast.”
In another Masjid, the cleric opined that communal harmony is our country's strength. Emphasizing importance of fasting of Muslims during the month of Ramadan, he said, community would not involve in any sort of committing mistakes, lying and betrayal. He called upon the gathering to continue the same after the end of fasting season and aid the needy.
In rural areas of coastal Karnataka and Kerala too the festival was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Security beefed up
Meanwhile, police units in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts have beefed up security in the areas where Masjids and Eid-gahs are located, particularly in and around the cities. Police constables were also seen keeping vigil in some of the Masjids.
Mangalore City Police Chief Manish Kharbikar said that peace-meetings were arranged in some places ahead of the Eid celebrations with the intention of establishing harmony and strengthening relationship between communities.
He said that additional force form Karnataka State Reserve Police, Home Guard and District Armed Reserve Police have been deployed in the limits of Commissionerate as part of precautionary measures.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal said that he had directed all the police stations in his jurisdiction to take necessary measures to maintain peace.
Gratitude
Political leaders also visited the Eid-gah Masjid and exchanged greetings with Muslim brethren. They expressed gratitude to Muslim leaders for promoting peace and harmony during festivities.
Eid greetings
Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, Udupi district-in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake among others have extended their greetings to Muslims of coastal Karnataka on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
“This festival symbolises joy and thanks giving. Let the celebrations of this festival bring peace, prosperity, contentment and happiness to the people,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader in his Eid message.
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