Confusion over offering namaaz-e-eid-ul-fitr

Lucknow, Oct 24 (UNI) Confusion prevailed in the Uttar Pradesh capital over offering of namaaz-e-eid-ul-fitr between members of the Shia and Sunni sects.

The common man and clerics alike were arguing over the offering of the important namaaz, as while most of the Sunnis are celebrating the festival today along with rest of the country, Shias would celebrate the festival tomorrow.

While Sunni clerics claimed to have received verification of sighting of moon around 0215 hrs today, Shias maintained neither the moon was sighted nor was there any verification.

A section of Sunnis too would observe the festival tomorrow.

Police sources verified tempers ran high over offering of the namaaz and some members of the Muslim community wanted the prayers to be offered tomorrow. ''But there was no law and order problem,'' sources added.

Amid much confusion of Eid falling today, the Markazi Chand Committee declared that Eid would be celebrated Ttomorrow, October 25.

According to a media release issued by the Committee, since the Shavvarul-Mukarram moon was not sighted yesterday, Eid will not be celebrated on the following day and Muslims will fast on October 24.

But a late night decision changed the date of the festival to today.

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