Muslims celebrate Ramzan Eid with prayers, sweets
Sayalee Jadhav, 22, a Santacruz resident, celebrated Eid at her friend Rukhsar Yunus' house in Trombay on Monday. Jadhav, a Buddhist, also observed roza (fast) every day during Ramzan. Mugdha Variyar reports.
Sayalee Jadhav, 22, a Santacruz resident, celebrated Eid at her friend Rukhsar Yunus' house in Trombay on Monday. Jadhav, a Buddhist, also observed roza (fast) every day during Ramzan.
"I visit Rukhsar's house for Eid every year," said Jadhav, who enjoyed sweet dishes such as sheer khurma and sevia among other dishes with the Yunus family. "I read a book on Islam three yeras ago and have been interested in the religion since then. I also have a copy of the Quran in English that I read regularly," she said. Rukhsar's family said that it is always a pleasure to have Sayalee over for Eid as she is just like family.
For several Muslim families in the city, Eid celebrations involved enjoying the festival with friends from other communities.
At A Khaliq's house in Mira Road, several non-Muslim friends joined the family on the occasion. "Several of my non-Muslim friends come home every year on Eid, and this time, the festival will serve as an occasion to reinforce the bond in the midst of the communal tension prevailing in the country," said Khaliq, a doctor.
The inter-community spirit during Eid is not restricted to the elders. At Young Indians' School in Jogeshwari, which was affected by the 1992-1993 riots, students from all communities will sing qawwalis and songs at the Eid party in school scheduled next week.
"Students celebrate every festival together. For the upcoming Eid party, teachers will bring special dishes prepared just for the occasion," said principal Irfana Mujawar.
Even as Eid was celebrated, the five-message cap on SMSes imposed by the government played spoilsport.
"I couldn't send messages to several people to wish them Eid Mubarak. But in a way, it turned out to be a good thing, since I called several of my friends and spoke to them after a long time," said Raffa Dalvi, an engineering student from Mira Road.