Eid celebrated with gaiety across Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD - Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the culmination of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was Saturday celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Andhra Pradesh with Imams an American pastor’s earlier plans to burn the holy Quran.

Muslim men and children clad in new attire and wearing skull caps offered Eid prayers in Eidgahs and mosques. The biggest congregation was held at the historic Mir Alam Eidgah, where over 300,000 prayed.

Similar huge congregations were also seen at the historic Mecca Masjid, Public Garden mosque and in grounds.

The Imams who led the Namaz-e-Eid condemned the plans of Florida Pastor Terry Jones to burn the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 attacks.

“It is a matter of shame for the entire Muslim world and for rulers in Muslim countries that they are silent over the attempt to burn the word of Allah,” said Sheikh Imaduddin Madani at Masjid-e-Azizia.

With the Lucknow bench of Allahbad High Court set to pronounce its verdict in Ayodhya case Sep 24, the Imams prayed for the restoration of Babri Masjid site to Muslims.

Muslims constitute 40 percent of the nearly eight million population in Greater Hyderabad and about 10 percent of the state’s 77 million population.