City celebrates Eid

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with simplicity, prayers were offered for the victims in Gaza.

After a month-long fasting, Muslims marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across the city with pomp and gaiety. Thousands of men and children clad in new attire and wearing skull caps offered Namaz-e-Eid in Idgahs or open grounds and hundreds of mosques.

The biggest congregation was at the historic Mir Alam Idgah, where people offered prayers and greetings, hugging each other. Huge congregations were also seen at the historic Mecca Masjid, Public Garden mosque and in grounds like Hockey Grounds, Madannapet, Military Grounds in Mehdipatnam and in Secunderabad.

During the sermon, the Imams condemned Israel's attacks on innocent children and women in Gaza. They offered special duas (supplications) seeking Allah's blessings for the innocent victims. Many families preferred to celebrate Eid with simplicity, as a show of solidarity with Palestinians. Handouts calling for boycott of Israeli products and companies were also distributed.

Police had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Idgahs by imposing traffic restrictions.

Besides celebrations, Eid-ul-Fitr was also the day for Zakat, where the community offered some money as charity to help the poor. For the same, before offering prayers, families paid fitra or charity (Rs 80 to Rs 100) on behalf of each member so that the poor could also celebrate the festival.