Eidul Fitr celebrated with religious fervour

ISLAMABAD: The nation celebrated Eidul Fitr with religious zeal, fervour and traditional festivity on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Big Eid prayers congregations were in mosques, Eidgahs, imambargahs and at open places in all major cities and towns. Ulema and religious scholars in their Eid sermons highlighted the significance of the day and urged the faithful to follow the teachings of Islam and holy Quran. The scholars called upon the faithful to adhere to the Islamic teachings, as were practised in his life by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). They underlined the need for complete unity among the Muslim Ummah, in their rank and file to counter evil designs of anti-Islam forces.

They also highlighted the last sermon of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which had been delivered after Hujjatul Wida, as a guideline for the Ummah and the entire humanity for all times to come. Special prayers were offered for integrity, solidarity and prosperity of the country, and for the liberation of Kashmir, Palestine and other occupied Muslim lands. They also prayed for welfare and wellbeing of the Ummah. After Eid prayers, people visited residences of their relatives and friends to exchange Eid greetings and distributed Eidi among children. Strict security measures were made across the country to avoid any untoward incident during Eid holidays. In Islamabad, the biggest Eid congregation was held at Faisal Mosque where the government officials and envoys of Islamic countries offered Eid prayers. President Mamnoon Hussain offered the prayers at State Guest House in Karachi. The president prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. The president mixed up with the people and exchanged Eid greetings with them. Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk offered Eid prayers in the mosque at Prime Minister’s House. The prime minister, along with other worshippers, prayed for peace and prosperity of the country.

After the prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with people.

The prime minister also hosted an open house reception in connection with Eidul Fitr at PM House.

The reception was attended by diplomats, dignitaries, senior government officials and guests who called on the prime minister and exchanged Eid greetings.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan were also among those who met the prime minister and shared Eid greetings.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa spent the day of Eidul Fitr with troops along the Line of Control (LoC).

He offered Eid prayers there and prayed for peace and prosperity of the country.

Talking to troops, the COAS lauded their commitment, high morale and devotion for defence of the motherland.

“As soldiers we should be proud of celebrating such festivities away from our homes and dear ones for being on duty for security of our country and fellow countrymen.”

The army chief especially paid tributes to all martyrs of Pakistan for their sacrifices in the line of duty.

In Lahore, the biggest Eid congregation was held at Badshahi Masjid, where Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana offered Eid prayers.

In Karachi, the main Eid congregation was held at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Old Polo Ground), where Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair, high ranking officials and diplomats of Islamic countries offered Eid prayers.

After Eid prayers, the Sindh governor exchanged Eid greetings with the people.

Talking to the media, he extended Eid greetings to the whole nation.

Eid congregations were also held at Nishtar Park, National Stadium, Eidgah Nazimabad and T-Ground and other parts of the city.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra offered Eid prayers in Peshawar.

More than 180 Eid prayers congregations were held at open places, parks, mosques, Imambargahs, and Eidgahs, while the main congregation was held at Eidgah Toghi Road, Quetta.

Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai offered Eid prayers in his native town Qila Abdullah and caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Alauddin Marri in Quetta.