Eid celebrated across India with prayers, feasts; peaceful protests seek end to West Asia conflict

NEW DELHI, March 21: Eid al-Fitr was celebrated across India on Saturday with special prayers for peace, progress and brotherhood at large congregations in mosques and eidgahs, followed by peaceful protests in several parts of the country condemning the US-Israel attacks on Iran and seeking an immediate end to the hostilities in West Asia.
From the busy lanes of Old Delhi to the eidgahs in Jammu and Kashmir and the bustling Nakhoda Masjid in Kolkata, lakhs of faithful dressed in their best embraced each other and exchanged ‘seviyan’ to celebrate the festival that marked the end of the fasting month of Ramzan.
Greeting the citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, “Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day further brotherhood and kindness all around. May everyone be happy and healthy. Eid Mubarak!” Chief ministers, including Omar Abdullah of J-K and Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal, governors and other prominent leaders in different states also extended their greetings to the people, and attended the Eid festivities.
In Delhi, people flocked to mosques across the capital to offer namaz, embracing the spirit of unity and devotion, even as a blanket of fog hung over several parts of the city, creating a striking visual against the backdrop of mosque domes and minarets.
The sense of celebration was palpable as people exchanged greetings after offering namaz, with mosques such as the Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, and those in Seelampur, Okhla and Nizamuddin witnessing a significant turnout.
Uttam Nagar in west Delhi, however, saw subdued celebrations, days after a clash on the day of Holi left a man dead and triggered communal tension in the area.
Despite the heavy security presence, residents said they offered prayers peacefully, though the celebrations were low-key this time.
In J&K, Eid was celebrated across the Union territory with the largest gatherings assembling at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, and the eidgah on Residency Road in Jammu.However, the authorities did not allow Eid prayers at the historic Jama Masjid at Nowhatta in the Old City area of Srinagar for the seventh year in a row.
While the authorities tightened security in the vulnerable areas of the Valley fearing anti-US and anti-Israel demonstrations after Eid prayers, people took out peaceful protests in several parts of Kashmir, condemning the attacks on Iran and calling for an end to the West Asia conflict.Dressed in new clothes, Muslims of all ages assembled at the eidgahs, mosques and shrines across Uttar Pradesh to offer Eid prayers and exchange greetings.In Lucknow, the main congregation was held at the Aishbagh Eidgah, where a large number of worshippers offered namaz, with special prayers for peace, progress and brotherhood around the world.
Leaders from different communities, including Christians and Sikhs, also attended the gathering.(PTI)