Governor CM greet people on Eid i Milad

Govenror N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) and expressed sincere hope that this auspicious occasion would be a harbinger of harmony, peace, progress and prosperity in the State.

In a message of greetings, the Governor described Islam as a religion of peace and said that this holy day marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose life was an embodiment of love, equality and brotherhood.

The Governor prayed for the well-being of the people of the State.

In a greeting message issued here today, the Chief Minister said that the birthday of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provides us opportunity to pray and seek forgiveness and blessings from the Almighty for the entire mankind.

"Let the day be harbinger of peace and development for the State and the Country", Omar prayed.

Meanwhile, Mr Omar visited Dargah, Hazratbal and reviewed the arrangements put in place by the administration and the Waqaf Board for the holy occasion of Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).

The Chief Minister paid obeisance at the shrine, prayed for peace and prosperity of the State and interacted with Zaireen. He directed the Waqaf Board and the officers of divisional administration to ensure all facilities to Zaireen during Milad days. He laid stress on ensuring cleanliness, power, water supply and adequate transport for the people.

Omar Abdullah also received brief about the arrangements made for Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) and development programmes under implementation in the area for beautification and upgradation of facilities, at a meeting of Waqaf Board there.

The Vice Chairman of Waqaf Board, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, various members of the Board and other officers were present on occasion.

Eid ul Fitr in jammu

Eid-ul-Fitr marking the culmination of holy month of fasting Ramdhan was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Jammu region also with thousands of Muslims thronging the different Eid-gahs and Jamia Masjids throughout the region early this morning to offer Eid prayers.

In Jammu the biggest congregation was seen at Eid-gah Residency road where over five thousand Muslims offered Eid Namaz. Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, MoS for Power Shabir

Ahmed Khan and MoS for Rural Development Ajaz Ahmed Khan were among the prominent people who offered Eid Namaz at Eidgah Residency road.

However people protested against the Auqaf administration for not making adequate arrangements for them at Eidgah this time. They raised slogans against the Auqaf administration and Minister Haj and Auqaf, for in protest and accused it of its total failure in arranging the tent over head to protect the devotees from scorching heat while offering Namaz. They also alleged that no proper arrangements for drinking water were made by the Auqaf Administration.

The order was restored only after repeated appeals were made by Imam to protestors.

The administration knew fully that the people assembling to offer prayers in open at Eidgah would face problems due to scorching heat and as huge funds are at the disposal of Auqaf, still they failed to make arrangements for the devotees, said Mohd Qadoos a devout Muslim who had come to offer prayers at Eidgah.

Later talking to reporters Mr Rather said that Government will look into the matter and seek an explanation from Auquaf authorities. Rather said that State is limping back to normalcy fast and it is a good omen for prosperity and development.

He said peace is prerequisite for development and prosperity and the separatists should also provide a chance to peace in the State which has suffered a lot of devastation in 22 years of turmoil.

While justifying the decision regarding grant of amnesty to stone pelters, Abdul Gani Malik said that coalition Government is committed to restoration of peace in the State and the amnesty is the Eid gift to the youth.

He said the decision was taken by the Government to build confidence among the misguided youth to involve them for restoration of peace and tranquility in the State.

A large number of members of Muslim community offered Eid Namaz at Jamia Masjid Talab Khatikan, Eidgah Narwal, Jamia Masjid Kachhi Chawni, Sidhrah, Bhatindi and other mosques of city.

Besides the offering of special Eid prayers, exchange of sweets and hugs were the other highlights of the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr in the Winter Capital.

Muslims attired in white dresses hugged each other and exchanged Eid greetings. The members of Hindu and Sikh communities also greeted their Muslim brethren on the occasion. Leaders of various political and social organizations had also reached Eidgah to greet the Muslims on the occasion of Eid.

People flooded markets and purchased assorted items, including delicacies and colourful garments.

Roadside 'bazaars' sprang up to woo shoppers with mutton, poultry, bakery products, sweets, ready-made garments and toys.

Attired in colourful dresses, children asked for 'Eidi' from the relatives while people exchanged sweets and gifts among friends and loved ones.

"I prayed for peace and brotherhood in the State and across the world as well so that people live in tranquility", Baffar Shah-a businessman said after offering prayers at Eidgah.

"We have come here to greet our Muslim brothers on the festival. We also pray to almighty for the early restoration of peace and prosperity in this trouble-torn State of Jammu and Kashmir,'' said Khem Chand, standing outside the Eidgah to greet his friends on the occasion.

MLA Poonch, Aijaz Jan wished everyone and offered special prayers at the Eidgah.

Tight security arrangements were also made across the winter capital and in outskirts for smooth and peaceful celebrations of the festival.

Reports of the Eid celebrations have also come from Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Ramban districts where thousands of Muslims thronged the Eidgahs and Jamia Masjids to offer special Eid prayers.

Thousands of Muslims thronged the Eidgah at Rajouri to offer the special Eid prayers. The DC Rajouri G A Khawaja was among the prominent people who offered the Eid Namaz in Eidgah.

On the occasion DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Rajesh Kumar and SSP Rajouri Vijay Samyal greeted the members of Muslim community.

Thousands of Muslims also thronged the Eidgah Poonch to offer prayers. Special Eid prayers were also held in Eidgahs at Thanamandi, Darhal, Manjakote, Budhal, Koteranka, Nowshera, Mendhar, Billawar and Bani.

The Minister of Cooperatives, Dr Manohar Lal also offered Eid greetings to members of Muslim community at Billawar.

Holy Month Of Ramzan

RAMZAN is generally perceived as the Muslim month of fasting. To the believers though, this holy month holds a much larger significance. It is a period of spiritual cleansing – of selfdenial and abstinence, of introspection and above all, a reaffirmation of self-surrender to the will of the Almighty. It was on this month, in 610 A.D., that the prophet Mohammed had experienced his “divine revelations” which went on to form the essential text of the Holy Koran. Ramzan celebrates that event every year with the sighting of the crescent moon – the month lasting for 29 or 30 days, depending upon the lunar cycle. Ramzan is also the time for communal bonding and strengthening fraternal ties. Much as the community fasts between sunrise and sunset, food constitutes a star attraction in the daily ritual, should the popularity of iftaar parties these days provide any indication. While politicians and business barons might strike deals over lavish spreads of malpuas and haleem, the more modest and humble would gather with the family around dinner tables to savour an array of biryani preparations, not to mention sumptuous snacks ranging from keema samosas to kababs and chana bhatura. Amidst these, the humble date occupies pride of place. While many might crunch the fruit in its natural or unadorned state, others would have it packed with almonds, soaked in rose water or perhaps, wrapped in fluorescent cellophane. Then there are always those tall glasses of faluda, fruit juice and radiant heaps of pomegranate, oranges and watermelon – all peeled and mildly chilled. Indeed, on no other occasion, would these sherbets taste as delicious and refreshing as in the month of Ramzan. Take a walk down Mumbai’s Mohammad Ali Road after sunset – or say, Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, even the area around Kolkata’s Nakhoda Masjid. These are busy thoroughfares, which bear a business- like order urgency during the day. But by nightfall, during Ramzan, the very same streets are transformed into a fairyland of bright lights and clattering pans, suffused with the heady aroma of mutton biryani, murg mussalam, malpuas, crunchy mughlais, sheer kurma, tikka… It is then that you realize that Muslims in India are determined to crown their month of fasting with more than a little bout of feasting. And whoever heard of disturbing concepts like cholesterol and calorie counts in a culture that boasts of rich tradition of royal cuisine! Another fast emerging trend is that these iftaar binges are not restricted to Muslims only. Non-Muslims are increasingly partaking in these power-packed delicacies, some deliberately fasting during the day so as not to miss out on the variety. In that respect, Ramzan has already emerged from the ‘purdah’ and is acquiring secular overtones, much like Diwali and Dussehra. Political parties have been quick to recognise the mileage to be gained from this “bonding with biryani” and are hosting iftaar parties for all communities these days. In all this, what escapes attention is the behind-thescenesvpreparation for the grand occasion. For months before Ramzan, housewives would sun the dry fruits, go around town for the condiments and flavors, grind the masala, roast them and so on. Good Sheer kurma for a gastronome could take up to ten days of hard work before this divine mixture of vermicelli, milk, nuts and dry fruit is cooked right. And then, there is no one way of cooking this dish – equivalent to what plum cake is on Christmas or modak is on Ganesh Chaturthi. Every Muslim family has its own recipe for sheer kurma it would not easily part with. But everybody is welcome to it and many foodies make it a point to visit one another over the evenings, only to drink vast quantities of this delicacy. Moreover, within the community, different sects have their own culinary preferences during the festival. So while the north Indian Khans might freak out on kheer, Muslims from Kolkata would go all out for laddoos made of vermicelli. Many Bohra households in Mumbai prefer to dole out chocolates while for others, it could be marzipans. After all, barring dates, which is considered “sunnah” (auspicious), there is no religious binding on what should be served at the end of every day of rigorous fasting.