India is all set to celebrate the festival of Eid ul-Fitr after the new moon was sighted on Friday.
Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Bukhari announced that the new moon was sighted around 7.35 pm on Friday evening.
"I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr," Bukhari said.
Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan/Ramzan. Muslims celebrate this 30-days-long month of fasting by greeting their friends, family and the loved ones. They offer special prayers at mosques, idgahs or designated open grounds. They exchange gifts, give alms to the needy. This is one day in Islamic calendar when Muslims are not allowed to fast.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Taking to his Twitter handle, President Kovind wished for joy and mutual goodwill among the people of the nation.
"Id Mubarak and good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. May this happy occasion bring joy to your families and foster fraternity, understanding and mutual goodwill in our shared society," President Kovind Tweeted.
The Prime Minister also sent his warm greetings to the people through his social media handle on the day and wished for strong bond of unity and harmony in the society.
"Eid Mubarak! May this day deepen the bonds of unity and harmony in our society," he tweeted.
Namaz was offered early in the morning in Mumbai, New Delhi, Gorakhpur. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan attended the gathering in Bhopal with Congress leader Kamal Nath. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu offered namaz in Vijayawada.
While the nation will celebrate the festival on Saturday, Kerala celebrated Eid on Friday because the moon was sighted in Kozhikode district on Thursday evening.
Special charity programmes were organised by individuals and outfits across the state in which new clothes, food packets and gifts were distributed to the poor and needy.
Governor Justice P Sathasviam and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were among the dignitaries who greeted Keralites on the occasion.
In his Eid message, Sathasivm wished that "may Id-ul-Fitr, through its unique message of self-discipline, sacrifice and charity, brighten our lives with love, oneness and brotherhood."
According to the legends, the Islamic prophet Muhammad started the festival when he migrated to Medina from Mecca. The two cities are considered the holiest in Muslim community around the world.
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