Fast of Ramzan ends with feasts

Both the Telugu States celebrate Eid-ul-fitr with religious fervour and gaiety; conduct special prayers, exchange greetings

Hyderabad /Siddipet: Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramzan) was celebrated in both the Telugu States with religious fervour and gaiety on Monday. Lakhs of devout Muslims, irrespective of their age, thronged idgahs, mosques and open spaces in huge numbers and participated in special prayers to mark the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan.

The main congregation was held at Mir Alam Idgah where a large number of Muslims participated in special prayers. After the prayers, they hugged each other and exchanged greetings, saying ‘Eid-Mubarak’ to each other. Muslims wearing white new cloths prayed to Almighty Allah.

Huge gatherings at Charminar, Macca Masjid, Meer Alam Edgah and Secunderabad Mosque in the capital, and in Adilabad, Bhainsa, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar and other towns in Telangana started their Ramzan celebrations early in the morning, participating in special prayers in mosques. Imams and other priests, who addressed the gatherings, exhorted Muslims to continue good deeds even after Ramzan, so that they could succeed in life.

The police deployed huge force in the Old City of Hyderabad, keeping ISIS threat to the capital city and the arrest of ISIS sympathisers in view.

The police diverted the traffic in the Old City for the festival. Over two lakh Muslims offered prayers at Mir Alam Tank Idgah on the outskirts of the city, while large congregations of worshippers were also seen at Mecca Masjid near the historic Charminar, Jama Masjid and Balamrai Idgah in Secunderabad.

In Siddipet, Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao extended greetings to the Muslims at a local idgah. Speaking on the occasion, Harish said Ramzan reflected secularism. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government was wedded to the welfare of minorities, the Minister said.

Interacting with Muslim brethren and extending greetings to them on the occasion of sacred festival, Harish Rao said eid was a great festival and a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and brotherhood that heralded religious harmony. Sharing his happiness with Muslim brethren on the joyous occasion, Harish Rao said the State government was relentlessly working for the uplift of minorities.

Stating that the TRS government and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao alone in the country recognised Ramzan as the State festival, he said the State government got a resolution passed in the Assembly recommending 12 per cent reservation to the Muslims and sent it to the Union government for approval.

Harish Rao also disclosed that the State government was planning to open 200 residential schools for the benefit of Muslim minorities. He also pointed out that his government had distributed essential commodities and cloths to over four lakh poor Muslims to celebrate the festival happily.