Invoking divine blessings

Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan was celebrated with with zeal and fervor. Dressed in customary attire thousands of muslims participated in the Eid prayers at more than 200 Eidgahs and mosques in and around the city.

Despite the bad weather conditions the biggest congregation was witnessed at the Mir Alam Eidgah where abut two lakh people offered prayers. The prayers here were led by Maulana Hafeez Rizwan Qureshi Khateeb of Mecca Masjid.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Telangana State Wakf Board Chairman Mohammed Saleem, Hyderabad city police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy, Deputy Mayor Baba Fasihuddin, officials of State Minorities Welfare Department, GHMC and other departments extended greetings to the public at the Eidgah.

The other major places where huge gatherings were witnessed was, Qutb Shahi Tombs Eidgah, Chanchalguda Junior College, Masab Tank, First Lancer Eidgah, Sanathnagar, Kothapet, LB Nagar, Mecca Masjid and Quili Qutub Shah stadium etc. After completion of prayers people embraced each other and exchanged Eid greetings and relished the Sheer-kurma.

Police maintainted strict vigil throughout and breathed a sigh of relief as the month of Ramzan concluded without any untoward incident. “It was only because of the people’s cooperation the month concluded peacefully. We have been successfully coordinating with all departments during prayers, iftar parties and shopping,” said Commissioner of Police M Mahender Reddy.

The devout in Mir Alam and some other Eidgahs faced some problems due to heavy downpour on Sunday night. Some of the shamiyanas got torn. Devotees expressed their unhappiness over the Wakf department for having failed to make proper arrangements. The department officials had left the place even before the prayers began. The devotees had to organise for plastic bags and mats for the prayers.

The delay in clearing the garbage near the premises of Mecca Masjid and some business centres in areas like Tolichowki also caused inconvenience for those who attended Eid prayers. Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiuddin blamed it on the rainfall and delay in removal of stalls.

“All the concerned officials are in the field. It was because of rainfall and delay in removal of stalls, the garbage could not be cleared fast. It shall be cleared shortly,” he said, after praying at Mecca Masjid.

The rain on Sunday played a spoilsport for the business. People came out to shopping only around 2 am after rain receded. “Because of the rain I could not buy some of the items the previous day,” said Sheikh Abdullah, a resident of Shalibanda.

Expressing solidarity with victims of mob lynching in parts of northern India, some youth wore black arm bands in Eidgahs and some mosques. They demanded the government to initiate action against those who were involved in the act. Activists associated with NGOs and political parties distributed black ribbons to namazis in Mir Alam Eidgah and some other places of worship.