Shias in Kashmir celebrate Eid

Thousands of Shiite Muslims in Srinagar celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr festival on Saturday, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Srinagar, Oct 13 : Thousands of Shiite Muslims in Srinagar celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr festival on Saturday, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The Shiite community in Kashmir valley, Kargil and Leh celebrated Eid a day ahead of the rest of the Muslim community in the state.

The rest of the people will be celebrating Eid on Sunday.

According to Shiite Muslims, the crescent (first day moon) for Eid-ul-Fitr was sighted in Kargil area of the State on Friday.

Dressed in new clothes, they swarmed mosques across Kashmir to offer prayers.

Eid, the biggest and most important holiday on the Islamic calendar, is traditionally celebrated for two days. Muslim clergy decides the date of Eid, on the basis of sighting of the moon.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims flocked at mosques and worship-grounds where they offered Eid prayers.

As is customary, Muslims embraced each other and exchanged Eid greetings after the prayers.

"We offered namaz (prayers) today. We prayed to the almighty to help restore peace and happiness in the valley and bless us all," said Nissar Ahmed, Shiite Muslim in Budgam.

Muslims believe Eid is not just a time of spiritual devotion and verbal expressions of love and brotherhood; it is also a time of religious unity when people from all religions and nationalities come together to share greetings.

ANI