Gujaratis at home and abroad pray for Indian victory

Hundreds of Muslims today offered Namaz at Jama Masjids here and in other towns in central Gujarat, praying for India's victory in tomorrow's World Cup final in Mumbai.

Talking to PTI after offering Namaz, Abdulgani Abdulbhai Qureshi, the main coordinator of the Gujarat unit of Rashtriya Muslim Manch and Kabir Quami Ekta committee, said, "We prayed to Allah for Indian team's victory in the final...we want India to win the World Cup after a gap of 28 years."

Mohammed Vora, former deputy mayor of the city, said "Quaran teaches us to be loyal to the motherland and we want India to win."

Family members and friends of Munaf Patel and Yusuf Pathan, two members of the Indian squad who hail from the region, too offered special prayers at Ikar and Vadodara, respectively.

The members of Gujarat-origin NRI community too are sending up prayers for the Indian victory.

Kashyap Upendrabhai Vaidya, a Gujarati who lives in Canada told PTI on phone that community members prayed for the Indian team, holding aloft the national flag, and posters of Indian players.

Smita  Sanjay Joshi, a Vadodara-ite settled in New Jersey, USA, told PTI: "Every one settled in USA is praying for India's win."

Nikita Gavende, vice president of Students' Union ofMaharaja Sayairao University, said, "We prayed for Sachin's century, and winning of the cup for him."