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Tribune News Service
Bathinda, August 12
Eid-al-Adha was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the city on Monday. Thousands of followers belonging to the Muslim community thronged the Eidgah and mosques here to offer prayers in the morning.
Maulvi Mohammad Ghulam Ashraf Mishwahi at the Eidgah, Aawa Basti, said, “Thousands of devotees thronged the Eidgah to offer namaj in the morning. There was quite a hustle bustle at different stalls in the market. In fact, the number of devotees has increased significantly this year as compared to previous year. After offering prayers, the devotees exchanged Eid greetings before heading towards shops and stalls to purchase different items and gifts.”
There are approximately 15,000 followers of Islam in the city and a significant number of them turned up at the Eidgah and at the mosque near Dana Mandi to offer prayers on Monday. A majority of Muslims here work either as artisans (kadhai) or work as goldsmiths and others are employed in different sectors.
Meanwhile, MF Farooqui, IGP, Bathinda Range, also offered prayers at the Eidgah on Monday.
Maulvi added, “Unlike media reports of lack of excitement among followers in Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370, devotees in large numbers turned up to celebrate the festival. Moreover, there are quite a few families who hail from Kashmir and return there to celebrate the Eid. The message of brotherhood, peace and development was given during the congregation at the Eidgah.”
Shaukat Ali, a devotee, said, “We celebrated Eid with similar religious fervour as we have been doing for years. Morning prayers were followed by an exchange of greetings, sweets and gifts by devotees. The message of peace, co-existence in harmony and prosperity was given to devotees.”
Apart from the Eidgah, there are three different mosques in the city that witnessed a low turnout of followers. Maulvi said since Eid prayers were offered at the Eidgah only, devotees in large numbers thronged here for the same.
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