India celebrates Eid with fervour

New Delhi, Oct 14: Id-ul-Fitr, the most important festival of Muslims, is being celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm across the country today.

Muslims gathered early this morning to offer namaz at mosques across the country and attended the sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.

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Celebrations started after confirmation was received on the beginning of the month of Shawwal. Muslims in Kerala and some other parts of the country celebrated the festival on Saturday, and gathered in mosques and specially set up 'Idgahs' to offer namaz.

Id ul Fitr is celebrated on the last day of the holy month of Ramzanon during which devout Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have extended their warm wishes on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"On the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr, I convey my warm wishes to all my citizens in India and abroad," the President said in her message.

"The spirit of generosity and charity associated with this festival promotes the feeling of brotherhood among people and help usher in a humane society," Ansari said.

United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi has also greeted Muslims on the occasion. "On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I would like to greet all our Muslims brothers and sisters," Gandhi said in a statement on Saturday.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at all the mosques after at the October 11 blast at the Sufi shrine of Khwaja Mohiuddin Chisti in Ajmer.

ANI
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