Eid celebrated with fervour in Uttar Pradesh

Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan, was celebrated across the state on Wednesday, with people from different walks of life greeting each other on the occasion. In the morning, prayers were offered at Aishbagh Eidgah and Tiley Waali Masjid.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik on the occasion extended his greetings to the people and participated in the Eid festivities at Eidgah and Bada Imambara. Addressing the people at Eidgah, Naik said, "A true Muslim is one who ensures that his neighbour does not remain hungry irrespective of any religion. The Indian culture believes in 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam' (which in Sanskrit means that the world is one family)."

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma and former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav were also present there. The governor also planted a sapling at the Eidgah, since the festival coincided with the World Environment Day.

Naik then visited Asafi Masjid, and interacted with cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, and other dignitaries. Speaker of the UP Legislative Assembly Hriday Narayan Dixit in his message said, "The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is a symbol of multi-dimensional culture. Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival of mercy (daya), helping others (parokaar), benevolence (udaartaa) and brotherhood (bhaichara). On this occasion, we should take a pledge to keep the fabric social amity intact."

Addressing the 'namaazis' (people who gathered to offer namaaz) at the Eidgah, Maulana Farangi Mahali said, "Islam has first spoken about human rights, and made the world aware about the importance of the human rights." He also offered special prayers for eradication of terrorism from the country and the world. He also expressed grief over the terror attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

"Our state is an example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (culture), and this message has been disseminating from the Eidgah," the deputy chief minister said. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "We should celebrate all the festivals together, and this is the beauty of our country."

Over five lakh Muslims offered namaaz at the Eidgah under Maulana Farangi Mahali, and prayed for peace and harmony in the country, a statement issued by the Islamic Centre of India said. Muslim women also offered namaaz at the Eidgah, and special arrangements for them were made at the Tayyab Hall.

A number of eateries in the city were buzzing with food lovers who went there to taste the authentic Awadhi cuisine and delicacies such as 'shahi tukda' and 'phirni'.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)