Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 13: Eid-ul- Azha was celebrated with full religious fervor and gaiety across the Jammu region today with thousands of Muslims thronging different Eidgahs and Jama Masjids to offer special Eid prayers on the occasion.
In Jammu the biggest congregation was held at Eidgah, Residency road where thousands of Muslims drawn from different parts of city and outskirts offered the Eid Namaz in the morning.
While offering Namaz the gathering prayed for return of peace and normalcy in trouble-torn Kashmir valley. They also prayed for the peace and prosperity of the State as well as nation.
The Imam who led the Muslims in offering prayers in his discourses said Eid-ul-Azha is a great day in the history of Islam. It teaches sacrificing every thing in the way of God, helping poor and needy is the message of Eid, he added.
He also prayed for speedy normalization of situation in trouble-torn Kashmir valley and return of peace prosperity and brotherhood.
Outside the Eidgah on Residency road and other places hundreds of Hindu, Sikh and Christians were seen greeting their Muslim brethren on the occasion of Eid and hugging them.
The Eid prayers were also offered at Jamma Masjid Khatinka Talab, Pir Mitha, Ustad Mohalla, Bhatindi, Sidhrah, Sunjwan, Malik Market, Nagrota, Bantalab and other areas of Jammu.
The children were seen attired in white dresses busy in buying toys and other gifts. Various recreational parks like Rajinder Park and Bagh-e-Bahu witnessed huge rush of people with children enjoying fun and folic.
Reports coming from other parts of Jammu region said that Eid was celebrated with full religious fervor at Kathua where over 2000 people offered Eid Namaz at Eid Gah Kathua. The people prayed for immediate restoration of peace in Valley and end to present turmoil. The DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar and ADC Bharat Bushan besides other officers greeted the members of Muslim community on the occasion.
Eid celebrations were at a low key profile at Mendhar due to militant attack in Poonch and present turmoil in Valley.
The Eid prayers were held at Jama Masjid Mendhar and Imam of Jama Masjid Moulana Mohammed Sultan Nakashb-andi threw light on the significance of the day in Islam. At Harni special prayers were offered for restoration of peace in Valley and end of present blood shed. The gathering was led by Imam of Jama Masjid Harni Hafiz Noor Alam Noori.
Eid was also celebrated with fevour and gaiety at Rajouri Surankote, Kalakote, Mandi, Poonch and other areas of twin border districts.
Reports coming from other districts said that large number of people participated in Eid Namaz at Reasi, Gool, Arnas, Ramban, Banihal, Kishtwar, Doda, Bhadarwah, Batote, Bani and Udhampur.
In Ramban district the Eid was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety. All the mosques were decorated and the markets witnessed heavy rush of people purchasing, sweets, gifts and clothes.
The biggest congregation was held at Jamia Masjid Sharif Ramban and Eid Gah Banihal where large number of devotees offered Namaz and prayed for peace and prosperity.
Eid-ul-Azha was also celebrated by jail inmates of District Jail Udhampur with gaiety and fervor. On this occasion Eid greetings were extended by Superintendent Jail Harish Kotwal on behalf of D G of Police, Prisons, S K Mishra to all jail inmates.
Army also celebrated the Eid-ul-Azha with locals at Daraba and Sotali Chir Pir Baba Masjid. The festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm wherein troops from all communities and large number of locals form Balakote, Dhargloon, Sandote, Goldh, Lanjot and nearby villages took part in it.
On the occasion of Eid -ul -Azha the members of NGO Jiyo aur Jeene do conveyed a message of peace and harmony by orgnanising a programme at Eidgah Aadarsh Colony Udhampur. They organized a programme for distribution of plant saplings. The motive of organizing the programme was to spread the message of making the surroundings green and for peace and brotherhood in the Society. The programme was led by president of NGO Tariq Shah. Besides, DC Udhampur, DIG and SSP were also present on the occasion who offered Eid greetings to the people.