Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour across the State.
Specail prayers were organised at all places of worship, including the historic Mecca Masjid, and eidgahs at Balamrai, Mir Alam, Madannapet, and eidgahi-Qutb Shahi. Adults and children attended the prayers, led by imams, who greeted the masses while praying for peace and prosperity. A festive atmosphere had set in on Friday after sighting of the new moon, marking the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan and start of the month of Shawwal. Shopping and eating out in many parts of the city, mainly the Old City, continued well past midnight even as denizens from other parts of the city thronged the environs of Charminar to soak in the fervour.
For families, following morning special prayers, it was a day of bonding with relatives and friends. Given festivities and celebrations associated with the day, sweet and textile stores made brisk business. Verimicelli sellers were seen busily catering to last-minute buyers in Hyderabad. Similar scenes were witnessed in other parts of the State. Public representatives and political leaders greeted people on the occasion. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao extended greetings after the moon’s sighting on Friday.
At a public programme organised by Hyderabad Police, the Commissioner Anjani Kumar greeting the masses at Mir Alam Eidgah, where prominent leaders including Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi prayed. The police had put in place traffic restrictions on Saturday morning to manage vehicular movement towards and from the eidgahs.
GHMC used the occasion of large gatherings to create awareness about plastic pollution and waste management by organising camps near mosques in Rajendranagar Circle. Officials held banners urging worshippers and others to avoid plastic use, as part of Swachh Hyderabad campaign.