Muslim Fraternity Celebrates Eid-Ul-Fitr in City Amid Rain
Mangaluru: After a month of fasting and prayer, a large congregation of Muslims assembled at the Idgah Masjid on Light House Hill Road to offer Eid prayers here, on July 6.
On July 6, at 8 am, Muslim brothers, from children to elders, dressed in traditional white clothes, gathered in large numbers at various Mosques and Dargahs in the city.
At the Idgah Masjid on Light House Hill Road, prayers were held at 8 am. Thousands of Muslim brethren gathered at the Masjid to offer prayers. After the prayers, they embraced each other exchanging greetings and well wishes.
Addressing the gathering, Swataqathulla Faizi of Zeenat Bakshi Masjid Bunder said, “We observed fasting for a month in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. On the 1st day of the 10th month, we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid means the festival of peace and harmony. When people are happy, there will be peace and harmony. To bring peace and harmony, we have to be united.” Citing an example, he said, “When we keep food for birds and take a stick in our hand, the birds will not come to eat that food. Likewise, if there is no safety, harmony or peace, who will come near us? Where there is happiness, there is peace. Zakat al-Fitr is charity in the holy month of Ramadan to be given to the poor. Where there is happiness, there is peace.” While concluding he said that EID means Effort, Ideal, and Divine. “We have to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr meaningfully by loving people from all walks of life,” he added.
District minister in-charge Ramanath Rai said that Eid-ul-Fitr is a holy festival because after one month of fasting, the Muslim fraternity celebrates Eid worldwide with the message of peace and prosperity. “Let this festival bring happiness, love, prosperity and brotherhood. Let everyone work for the development of the society,” he added.
Minister for Food and Public Distribution in Karnataka, U T Khader said, “On behalf of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, I wish the Muslim community throughout the district, state, country and the world, a very happy Eid-ul-Fitr.” Khader further said, “The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. This is an opportunity to the Muslim fraternity to show brotherhood, harmony, peace and love. Fasting for a month will strengthen Muslims to lead the rest of the 11 months of the year in peace, harmony and prosperity and to be a model to other communities, the state and the entire country.”
He also said, “In Mangaluru, there is no problem for food, education and development but there is a lack of harmony, trust, and brotherhood which is the need of the hour. We should all join hands to wipe the tears of the poor and the downtrodden.” He also called the youth to be humble in life.
MLA J R Lobo wished all the Muslim Fraternity a very happy Eid-ul-Fitr. He said that the festival brings peace, harmony and brotherhood. “All religions teach us to love one another. Our ways are different but our path is one which leads us to God. Mangaluru is famous for harmony, peace and brotherhood, let it continue throughout the year and peace prevail in the society,” said Lobo.
Qazi of Mangaluru Twaka Ahmed Musliyar, former MLA Yogish Bhat, Police Commissioner Chandra Sekhar, Prof M B Puranik and Fr Pradeep Sequeira also spoke on the occasion. Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, Rector of St Aloysius Institution Dion Vaz SJ, Principal Fr Swebert D’Silva, Yenepoya Moideen Kunhi and Pradeep Kumar Kalkura were also present.
They also distributed charity to the poor and the less fortunate on the occasion.