Festivities mark Id

CHANDIGARH, Jan 19: Gaiety and religious fervour marked the Id-ul-fitr celebrations in the city today as a large number of Muslims and people from the other communities assembled in various mosques to offer namaz and exchange greetings on the occasion.

The main function was held at the Sector 20 Jama Masjid, which was also attended by UT Administrator Lt. Gen. retd. B.K.N Chhibber. Greeting the people, Chhibber said that the administration was committed to protect the rights of minorities so that they could live without any fear in the City Beautiful. He urged the people to strengthen brotherhood between different communities. The Administrator said the Chandigarh residents, belonging to various faiths and hailing from different states, had set a unique example of peaceful co-existence and harmony. Mullana Azmal Khan Sahib of Jama Masjid addressed the gathering. Various Congress leaders, including Venod Sharma and Pawan Kumar Bansal also attended the Id-milan function at the mosque.

A get together was organised separately by the city unit of the National Muslim Welfare Movement under its national general secretary, Anwar Ali. Hundreds of people participated in prayer meetings held at the Manimajra Idgah, Madina and Noovani Masjids. In Burial, the Ekta Market Association greeted the Muslims and distributed sweets to mark Id-ul-fitr.

The Madrasa Eizah-ul-uloom Mujaddidi, Manimajra also organised a Id-milan samaroh, which was attended by Samajwadi party leaders, including city president Shivi Jaiswal and Usman Ali.