Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated throughout Kashmir valley

Srinagar: Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of Holy month of Ramzan, was today celebrated throughout the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region with religious fervour and gaiety. Tens of thousands of people offered special Eid prayers in Eidgahs, mosques, shrine and open fields in the valley. The main functions were held at Eidgah in the downtown and Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended warm greetings to people on the occasion of Eid. At Eidgah, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq was among the devotees who offered prayers. Addressing the occasion, the Mirwaiz urged India and Pakistan to take measures to resolve the Kashmir issue through a dialogue process. However, he said, inclusion of people of the state in any final talks would help to find a lasting and durable solution to the issue once and for all. Appreciating anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare for his fight against corruption, the Mirwaiz said the Gandhian leader and other members of the civil society should also raise their voice against alleged atrocities being committed in the Kashmir valley by the security forces and police. He also demanded a probe by any international body into the mass unidentified graves, recovered by State Human Right Commission (SHRC) in the Kashmir valley. The Eid prayers were also offered at Hazratbal, shrine of Hazrat Mehboob-ul-Aalam, Dastigir Sahib Khanyar and Saraibala, Jehab Sahib Soura, Jehab Sahib Shehari Kailashpora, Sheikh Dawood Batmaloo, Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, Hazrat Zainuddin Wali, Hazrat Syed Yaqoob Sonawar and other shrine and open fields across the Kashmir valley. Eid prayers were also held at Leh, Kargil and Drass in Ladakh region, where thousands of people joined the prayers. Children in colourful dresses were seen visiting parks and other places to celebrate the Eid. At some places security forces were seen greeting people on the occasion. Non-Muslims were also seen greeting their Muslim brethren since early this morning.