City soaks in celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr

Pune: The holy month of Ramzan ended and the world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday. In Pune too, the Muslim community celebrated the day with festive fervour.

Celebrations in the city started with the namaz (prayer) in mosques followed by wishing friends and family. Relishing the festive delights like ‘Sheer Khurma’ and ‘Chicken Biryani’, Puneites did not let the soaring temperature deter their spirit.

National President All India Muslims OBC Organisation President Iqbal Ansari who went to offer the namaz at Eidgah Maidaan in Camp said that offering prayers in this hot weather was a task. 

“After the namaz, we celebrated at home by inviting people from our neighbourhood and relatives for the special feast,” he said.

Maharashtra Waqf Liberation and Protection Taskforce Founder President, Salim B Mulla also felt that due to the soaring temperature, Eid was an affair restricted to early morning and evening festivities.

“We donated food on the occasion. I have also started a no begging campaign and created awareness among people to not to give anything to beggars as it makes them dependent which eventually leads them to poverty,” added Mulla.

Adnan Shaikh (19), a student of Modern College of Engineering attended the namaz and recalled how their spiritual leader inspired everyone to give alms only to the needy, instead of giving to people who already have a lot. 

Haji Zakir Shaikh, President, All India Quami Tanzeem Western Maharashtra said, “Since it is the festival of brotherhood, I have invited people of all the communities of my area for Eid celebration in the evening to relish the festive delicacies. Our day started with namaz at Jama Masjid in Yerawada and throughout the day we carried out different charity work like donating food grains to the poor families of our area.”