Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated with fervour in J&K;CM joins congregational Eid prayers at Hazratbal

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Wednesday as men, women and children dressed in their best thronged mosques, shrines and Eidgahs across Jammu and Kashmir special prayers to mark culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti joined thousands of devotees at the revered Hazratbal Shrine to offer congregational Eid prayers.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister of State for Urban Development, Asiea Naqash and Legislator Anjum Fazli. They offered the Eid prayers in the special women’s enclosure.
The Chief Minister exchanged greetings with the people present there and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state.
Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims the world over who abstain from food and water during the period extending from 30 minutes before the sunrise to sunset.
The biggest gathering of Eid prayers was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine where more than 50,000 faithful offered the Eid prayers, officials said.
The second largest gathering was held at Eidgah in the old city where more than 40,000 people offered prayers.
Big gatherings of Eid prayers were also reported at TRC and Polo ground in the heart of the city and other shrines of the city, they said, adding similar gatherings were held at all districts headquarters and major towns of the Valley.
Barring few incidents of stone-pelting after the prayers, the situation in the Valley remained peaceful.
Six persons including two policemen — an additional Superintendent of Police and a constable — were injured in the clashes between protesters and law enforcing agencies at various places in the Valley.
The authorities had placed top separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest, fearing their presence at large Eid gatherings could spark violence, the officials said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association (JKSA) today organized Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at various places in Valley. The main congregation to offer Eid prayers was held at historic Imambara Zadibal, Srinagar wherein thousands of Muslims from Shia community offered Eid Namaz.
The Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association Chief Patron and Minister for Information Technology and Youth Services and Sports, Moulana Imran Raza Ansari led the Eid prayers.
In his address, Ansari enlightened the gathering about the teachings of Islam and significance of Eid prayers. He said that Islam teaches us to help the poor and needy to uplift them and maintaining communal harmony and mutual brotherhood.
Congratulating people on the occasion, Ansari said that sacred month of Ramzan provides an opportunity to Muslims to purify themselves, attain tolerance and serve the humanity.
He also prayed for peace, prosperity and development of the State.
In Jammu, the main Eid congregation was held at Eidgah Residency Road where thousands of men and women, accompanied by children, offered Eid Namaz and exchanged Eid greetings.
On the occasion, Imam of the Masjid prayed for peace and harmony in the state. “May this festival fill our lives with peace, prosperity and happiness”, he added.
Elaborate arrangements were made by the district administration for smooth celebrations of Eid festival across the district.
MLA Jammu East, Rajesh Gupta and other senior functionaries of civil and police administration were also present on the occasion and exchanged Eid greetings with Muslim brethren.
Eid was also celebrated in District Jail, Jammu with enthusiasm and zeal.
On the occasion, Director General of Police, Prisons, Dr. S. P Vaid and Superintendent Jail, Harish Kotwal extended warm greetings to the jail inmates and wished them a very happy life.
Sweets were also distributed among the jail inmates.