Indirapuram: Residents of all faiths join Eid celebrations in Gyan Khand

Various food items are served here during the celebrations that are attended not only by Muslims but also Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians who reside in the locality.

With the confusion over the date for Eid-ul-fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan, being cleared only by Tuesday evening, many residents flocked the markets on Wednesday in preparation for the festival which will be celebrated in the Delhi-NCR on Thursday.

With the Delhi Imam declaring that Eid will be celebrated in the region on Thursday, many flocked to the markets for last-minute shopping and preparations. (Sunil Ghosh / HT)

Muslims across the city will start Eid with prayers and end it with celebrations accompanied by feasting.

“We have invited friends and family over for dinner. Sweet dishes are of more significance for this Eid and, hence, it is also known as ‘meethi (sweet) Eid’. However, other dishes integral to our culture, such as biryani, korma and nihari, will also be served,” said Abbas Rizvi, a resident of Shipra Suncity, Indirapuram.

In Gyan Khand-3, behind the Indirapuram mosque, over 350 families who reside in this area and belong to different communities will be celebrating the festival together.

“Each year, on the day of Eid, the Muslim community in the locality organises a grand celebration which is open to all residents, irrespective of their religion and faith. The celebration is held at the locality’s central park, behind the Indirapuram mosque. A large tent is erected here with seating arrangements for 500 people. Cultural activities are organised on Eid,” said Salahuddin, president of Gyan Khand residents’ welfare association (RWA).

Keeping in mind the religious sentiments of all, no non-vegetarian dish is served at the celebrations. Moreover, since Eid-ul-Fitr is marked by sweet dishes, all residents are served kheer, sevaiyan and other sweets along with snacks such as pakoras and aloo puri,” said Manzer Hussain, a resident of the locality.

Residents said the practice has been going on for four years now.

“Celebrating all festivals in our locality not only helps maintain the brotherhood but also teaches us something new about the other’s culture. Not just Eid, but other festivals such as Holi and Christmas are also celebrated together here,” said Uday Singh, vice president of Gyan Khand RWA.

In Noida, the Muslims of Shia community celebrated Eid on Wednesday itself.

“While the Imam in Delhi declared Eid to be celebrated on Thursday, we got information around 2 am on Tuesday that moon has been spotted in Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir. As soon as we got this information, all members of the Muslim community were informed and arrangements at the mosque in Sector 50, Noida, had to be done overnight,” said Syed Ghulam Ali Naqvi, imam at Imambara in Sector 50.

Hence, Eid was celebrated by the community on Wednesday itself with prayers held at 8.45 am followed by celebrations.

Sunni Muslims will celebrate the festival of Eid-Ul-fitr on Thursday at the Jama Masjid in Sector 8.

“Prayers will be held in the morning. Fitr means to help the needy and, hence, the Jama Masjid Association will be conducting charity for the poor after the prayers,” said Mufti Md Rashid Kasmi, imam at Jama Masjid in Sector 8, Noida.