INDIA: Hundreds of devotees celebrate Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr across India
Record ID:
1374174
INDIA: Hundreds of devotees celebrate Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr across India
- Title: INDIA: Hundreds of devotees celebrate Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr across India
- Date: 3rd September 2011
- Summary: AHMEDABAB, GUJARAT (AUGUST 31, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) PEOPLE STANDING INSIDE THE MOSQUE AND OFFERING PRAYERS PEOPLE STANDING BOWING THEIR HEADS A MAN STANDING AND OFFERING PRAYERS GROUP OF PEOPLE BOWING THEIR HEADS, OFFERING PRAYERS PRAYER SESSION IN PROGRESS SOUNDBITE (Urdu) MUFTI MOHAMMED SHABIR AHMED SIDDIQUE, MUSLIM CLERIC, SAYING: "On the occasion of Eid, the first thing I would like to say is I would like to congratulate everyone in the society from the bottom of my heart. Also, I hope that people who did good deeds during the sacred month of Ramazan (Ramadan) have these deed accepted by God. I also pray that God will guide us on the path of righteousness." PEOPLE SITTING INSIDE THE MOSQUE AND PRAYING TWO PEOPLE EMBRACING EACH OTHER AFTER THE PRAYERS
- Embargoed: 17th September 2011 22:00
- Keywords:
- Location: India, India
- Country: India
- Topics: Religion,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA7UY4DYHA8R1G19LPWJSFYX54G
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Muslims across India offered special prayers and began celebrating the three-day Muslim Eid al-Fitr festival on Wednesday (August 31), one day later than most other Muslims around the world.
In Patna, the capital city of the Eastern state of Bihar, State Chief Nitish Kumar joined Muslims from the area in their celebrations.
"Today is the festival of Eid. It is a festival of happiness. Today, I would like to congratulate all my Muslim brothers and sisters and all the citizens of Bihar and India on the occasion of Eid. After the sacred month of Ramazan (Ramadan), the festival of Eid arrives and it is a very difficult fast, if we can describe it so," said Kumar.
The city of Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh saw many devotees converge inside the premises of the prominent mausoleum, Taj Mahal to offer prayers.
"Many people came here. And today, not only in Agra, but everywhere else in India, the namaz (prayer) for Eid has been performed. We have prayed for peace in our region, state and the country. We have also prayed for the eradication of terrorism and that the existing corruption in the country should also be ended, we have also prayed for that," said Munna Quereshi, a local.
In Ahmedabad, the capital of the Western state of Gujarat, many devotees prayed for religious harmony in a state that has witnessed intense strife between the Hindu and Muslim communities over the years.
Locals also congratulated each other on the festive occasion.
"On the occasion of Eid, the first thing I would like to say is I would like to congratulate everyone in the society from the bottom of my heart. Also, I hope that people who did good deeds during the sacred month of Ramazan (Ramadan) have these deed accepted by God. I also pray that God will guide us on the path of righteousness," said Mufti Mohammed Shabir Ahmed Siddique, a Muslim cleric.
The festival of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. During this time, Muslims do not consume food or drink from dawn to dusk.
The festival commences when a crescent moon is observed. Conflicting moon sightings often cause different countries to celebrate the festival on different days. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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