Bhubaneswar: After a month-long fasting and feasting during the holy month of Ramadan, the Muslim community across the state celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday with exuberance and religious fervor. Members of the community assembled early morning to offer their special Eid prayers at mosques in different parts of the state.
Everyone donned new clothes, with male members sporting skull caps, and offered prayers at eidgahs and mosques across the state in a gesture to thank Allah at the end of the month-long fasting.
Special arrangements were made for the elaborate Eid celebrations in localities where Muslims constitute a sizable section of the population. Large Eid prayers were organised in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore.
After offering the Eid namaaz, families, friends and neighbours congregated to exchange pleasantries
Notably, Ramadan or Ramzan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this period devout Muslims keep fast (roza) every day throughout the month and only take food and drinks after sunset and before sun rise. During the day they devote their time to prayer, religious activities and charity.
On this significant day – a public holiday across the country, members of the Muslim community engage in various activities including prayers, seeking forgiveness from Allah and pledging solidarity. They also organise social gatherings and family reunions and engage in charity.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extended warm greetings to people of the state, especially the Muslim community, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. “Warm greetings and best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. May this day bring joy and happiness to all and strengthen spirit of brotherhood and amity in the society. #EidMubarak”, the CM tweeted.