Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in J-K, other states

NEW DELHI — Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and various other states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala joined millions worldwide on Wednesday in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the month-long Ramadan fasting period.

In a show of faith and unity, worshippers gathered at mosques and open prayer grounds to offer ‘Namaz’, or Eid prayers. In Jammu and Kashmir, morning prayers marked the start of Eid celebrations, with communities coming together to observe the holy festival.

In Coimbatore, hundreds congregated for mass prayer ceremonies, while similar scenes unfolded in Kerala’s Ernakulam district and Thiruvananthapuram, where large numbers participated in prayers.

The festive spirit extended beyond prayer as markets bustled with activity, with people flocking to buy traditional sweets and delicacies for the occasion. Shopkeepers reported high demand for treats such as gulab jamun, rasgulla, and seviyan, along with a variety of savoury snacks.

Despite the shared joy, regional differences in the sighting of the crescent moon led to varying observations of Eid-ul-Fitr. While Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, confirmed celebrations for Wednesday after moon sighting on April 9, other regions like Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Delhi opted to celebrate on April 11 due to the absence of moon sighting.

Eid-ul-Fitr holds profound significance in the Islamic calendar, signifying the end of Ramadan fasting and the beginning of Shawwal. The observance of the moon-sighting tradition underscores the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival, which also marks the start of a new Islamic year.

With rituals and grace, Muslims across India and beyond embrace Eid-ul-Fitr as a time of joy, reflection, and community solidarity.