Kerala - Kochi   

Id celebrated with gaiety, fervour

KOCHI: Muslim community across the district celebrated Id-ul-Fitr (Cheriya Perunnaal), marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, with gaiety and fervour, as the imams leading the prayers in the mosques exhorted the devotees to work towards ensuring communal harmony and the collective sense of humanity.

Devout Muslims poured into mosques and idgahs to offer prayers. Senior clerics and community elders gave the sermons.

In the city, hundreds offered prayers at idgahs held at Marine Drive and the Kaloor international stadium.

The celebratory mood was in the air since Friday as the State government had declared the day a holiday. There was merriment all over as the relatives and friends got together for celebration.

Members of the community, including children and women, actively participated as they came out in numbers in new dresses. Intricate designs made of fresh henna on the palms of the women and children served as reminder of the festival.

After offering the prayers, it was time for hosting guests. Kitchens in the households bristled with activity as women prepared biriyani and other delicacies for serving sumptuous meals to their guests.

Areas with high density of Muslim population, like Aluva, wore a deserted look throughout the day, as most shops remained shut.

As part of the ‘fitr zakaat,’ free Perunnaal kits, comprising food items, new clothes and money, were distributed to the poor. This is an old custom of rich giving money and food items to the poor. Of late the custom has assumed a new form, with people pooling their resources to distribute the kits.

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