Thousands offer namaz on Id-ul-Fitr

Having concluded the month-long fasting, members of the Muslim community came out in large numbers to participate in the mass prayer organised to mark Id-ul-Fitr in the districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, and Davangere districts on Saturday.

Rains in the last couple of days had brought down the soaring temperature, resulting in more number of people coming out to participate in the mass prayers.

In most places In fact, the crowds spilled over to the adjoining roads and as per custom, Muslim religious heads delivered sermons after conducting mass prayers.

At the conclusion of the mass prayers, several non-Muslim leaders reached the Idgah Maidans in their respective towns and cities to exchange Id greetings with the Muslim brethren.

At the Idgah Maidan, adjacent to Kittur Chennamma Circle in Hubballi, where flyover work is under way, the municipal authorities have taken steps to keep the Area tidy, where thousands offer namaz. The other Idgah Maidan in Old Hubballi too witnessed a huge congregation.

Prominent among those who participated in the mass prayers were former Minister A.M. Hindasageri, the former Chairman of HDUDA Anwar Mudhol, Congress leaders Altaf Halwoor, Babajan Mudhol and office-bearers of Anjuman-e-Islam.

After the namaz and exchange of greetings, devout Muslims performed zakat and gave donations to various mosque committees and also to alms seekers.

In Hubballi and Dharwad, elaborate police bandobast was made, and restrictions were imposed on vehicular movement till the conclusion of the mass prayers. Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar personally monitored the situation.

Seeking seer’s blessing

As has been the practice, per the decades-old tradition, several Muslim leaders and office-bearers of Anjuman-e-Islam, led by its president A.M. Hindasageri, Altaf Halwoor, Yousuf Savanur, and others, visited Moorusavir Mutt in Hubballi to greet and seek blessings from the seer Gurusiddha Rajayogindra Swami.

As the seer was not at the mutt, Mallikarjun Murugharajendra Swami of Murugha Mutt, Anandpur in Shivamogga district welcomed and greeted them. Siddhalinga Swami of Eradettina Mutt of Hubballi was present.