Peace prayers mark Eid-ul-Fitr in Assam

Thousands of Muslims Friday prayed for peace in Assam as they offered Namaz-e-Eid in mosques and Eidgahs across the state.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also took part in a community prayer organised in his home district Jorhat. Gogoi prayed for lasting peace and continuation of age-old brotherhood among the various communities in Assam.

The festivities were, however, marred to some extent in Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and in areas under the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD), which had witnessed mass protests and violence in the past few weeks over demands for separate states.

Although the situation has come back to normal and the agitation has subsided after talks between the state government and the protestors, yet night curfew continued in Karbi Anglong headquarters Diphu.

Basanta Das, Assam minister for information and public relations, said Eid was an occasion for happiness and is marked by the spirit of brotherhood and sacrifice.

"Compassion and forgiveness are the most precious gifts on this important day. May Eid this year further strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood and bring peace and prosperity to Assam," Das said.

A special prayer was organised at the historic Burha Jame Mosque in Guwahati Friday.

"We have organised special prayers today for lasting peace in Assam. The true meaning of Islam is peace and we prayed to the almighty Allah to empower every one of us so that we can follow the true spirit of Islam," said Anowar Hussain, imam of Burha Jame Mosque.

According to the 2011 census, over 31 percent of Assam's population are Muslims. There are over 300 mosques in Guwahati alone.