EId celebrated in Kargil, parts of valley

Srinagar, Oct 24: Eid-ul-fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan, was today celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Kargil district of Ladakh region and parts of Kashmir valley.

However, sunni muslims and majority shias in Kashmir, Leh, Drass, Nobra, Zanaskar and Pangrah will celebrate the festival tomorrow.

Prayers, on the first day of muslim month of Shawal, marking the end the holy fasting month of Ramzan, were held at different places in Kargil, a sources report said.

The main Eid congregations were held at Idgah and Jamia Masjid where thousands of Muslims joined the prayers.

People were seen greeting each other. A large number of Buddhists also greeted their muslims brethren.

Children wearing colourful dresses burst crackers to mark the festival.

However, nearby Drass, the world's coldest place after Siberia, will celebrate Eid tomorrow. Drass Sector is dominated by sunni muslims.

At Leh, only shia muslims celebrated Eid-ul-fitr today.

The Imam of Jamia Masjid, Leh, Moulana Ghulam Mohammad Nadvi and Moulvi Mohammad Umar said no Shawal moon was sighted yesterday and therefore Eid will be celebrated tomorrow 25.

Muslims at Nobra, Zanaskar and Panigrah have also decided to celebrate the festival tomorrow along with the people of the Valley.

In Kashmir, followers of shia leader Aga Hassan which include Hurriyat Conference (Umar) and Moulana Iftikhar Hussain Ansari of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) celebrated Eid today.

However, other shia muslims decided to mark the festival tomorrow along with sunni muslims throughout the Kashmir valley.

Mufti Azam (head Mufti) of Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammad Bashir-ud- Din, said the 'Shawwal' moon was not sighted in any part of the Valley last evening.

"The Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan, will now be celebrated on Wednesday," he added.

UNI

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