Eid celebrated with fervour in Delhi

Muslims in the national capital celebrated the festival of sacrifice Eid-ul-Adha with fervour on Tuesday.

Thousands offered prayers at different mosques across Delhi including historical mosques like the Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri and Shahi Eidgah. The special Namaaz at these mosques was held at 7.30 a.m.

People from other communities also greeted their Muslim friends on the occasion.

After prayers, goats and sheep were sacrificed -- an act commemorating the sacrifice by Abraham. The sacrificed meat was then split into three parts, of which people making sacrifices kept a part for themselves and distributed the rest among relatives and the poor.

The sacrifices would continue for the next three days, clerics said.

"Our country's distinctive feature of national integration was evident today as many from the Hindu community wished their Muslim friends on this pious occasion," Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari told IANS.

He added that people from different communities greeting their friends from other faiths depicts that brotherhood prevails and would continue to do so.

"This brotherhood is what would take our country ahead. There are some fringe elements but they are very few of them, they can't shatter our brotherhood," the Imam said.

Also known as Bakrid or Eid-e-Qurban, it is the second major festival of Muslims.

--IANS

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