All set for the big feast

Sadaqa-e-fitr, a ritual of charity is a major part of the festival

Soon after the moon was sighted at Basava Kalyan in Bidar by Moon Sighting Committee, celebration for the festival was announced by religious leaders from mosques across the State.

Decorated with colourful electric lights, the shops in Shivajinagar, Tilaknagar, Jaya Chamarajendra Nagar, Krishna Rajendra Market, K G Halli, Illyas Nagar, Azad Nagar, Yarab Nagar and other parts of the City were crowded with Muslims shopping for the big festival.

Muslim women were seen buying clothes for their children and also for the important part of the festival-Sadaqa-e-fitr, the ritual of charity. The poor on this day will be given clothes, food and  money as part of the celebration by rich Muslim families.

Syed Tanveer Ahmed, spokesperson, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said that the festival signifies the expression of gratitude to Allah. “People gather in Idgah to offer prayers to Allah. The practice of charity is the most important part of festival as the well-to-do Muslims should enable the poor Muslims to celebrate Id,” he added.

Solemn affair
Tanveer also said that the celebration had to be a solemn affair. Children too are given blessing money by the elders in the family on the occasion and the money is called Eidi.
The festival is also a good time for sumptuous food with ‘Sheer Qorma’ which is a delicacy made of vermicelli, milk and dry fruits. Following the prayers, Muslims meet friends, neighbours, relatives to greet them on the occasion.

Prayer at Idgah
The Anjuman-e-Islamia has arranged Id-ul-Fitr prayer at 10.30 am on Monday, at Idgah Anjumane Islamia, Banashankari. The Id prayers will be conducted by Moulana Mufti Shamsuddin Bijli Khasimi of Darul-uloom-Shah Waliullah.