ID celebrated with grandeur in Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI) Eid-ul-Zuha was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the capital today.

Two lakh Muslims took part in the Eid Namaz at the Fatehpuri Masjid, while roofs and roads were packed with Muslim devotees and children wearing colourful dresses.

Addressing the gathering, Shahi Iman Dr Mufti Mohammed Mukarram Ahmed welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 15-point programme and appealed for the inclusion of Muslims in Article 341 of the Constitution along with other communities. He demanded the implementation of the Sachar Committee report and Sri Krishna report and all riot victims be compensated as done for those of the 1984 riots.

He welcomed the greetings of US President George Bush on the occasion and appealed him to love Muslims and stop cruelties on innocent Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and in US prisons.

He also supported the Palestinian and Iranian causes which, in his words, went against no country.

He appreciated the gathered Muslims for following the path of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Hazrat Ismail who were ready to sacrifice their lives for God.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam also offered his prayer on the occasion.

UNI