Eidul Fitr celebrated amid tight security in twin cities

Rawalpindi

The inhabitants of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad celebrated Eidul Fitr under tight security arrangements and prayed for the prosperity of the country. People started gathering here at all mosques and eidghas since morning to offer Eid prayer on the occasion.

People belonging to all age groups gathered at different mosques and eidgahs and imambargahs to offer Eidul Fitr prayers on Wednesday morning.

A heavy contingent of police and other law enforcement agencies were present all around to avoid any untoward incident. They were thoroughly checking people through metal detectors outside mosques and eidghas. The security officials removed all kinds of hawkers, sellers and beggars from around the mosques and eidgahs to control law and order situation on the occasion.

Majority of people went to Faisal Mosque to offer Eid prayer but all other jamia mosques here in Rawalpindi were also jam packed with faithful on the occasion. Some senior federal ministers including high ranked government officials and some High Court and Supreme Court judges also offered eid prayers at Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.  

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, DCO and other high ranked officials including some judges offered Eidul Fitr prayers at Jamia Masjid Abu Ghafari on Park Road near Army House.

Similarly, large gatherings were also witnessed here at Qadeemi Masjid, Eidgah Sharif, Jamia Masjid Raja Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Jamiat-ul-Quresh Islampura, Dheri Hasanabad, Jamia Masjid Saddar, Satellite Town Jamia Masjid, Zakria Masjid Allahabad, Masjid Zanibia Al-Mumtaz Colony in Rawalpindi.

‘Ulema’ and ‘khateebs’ prayed for the peace, prosperity and integrity of the country and unity of the Muslim Ummah. In their sermons they urged people to be united and respect each other. They said we are passing through a difficult period in which a common man is facing many difficulties including terrorism. They strongly condemned terrorism activity at Madina Munawara. They said, "we have forgotten principles of our forefathers and Islamic teachings and that's why we are facing difficulties." After offering Eid prayers people embraced each other and visited their relatives to exchange greetings. They also served different sweet dishes in their neighbourhood.

On first, second and third day of eid, thousands of fun seekers including women and children thronged the parks and recreational spots of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to celebrate Eid festival.

Long holidays provided a great recreational opportunity for the citizens. Having spent the first day of Eid on Wednesday with relatives, friends and near and dear ones, the citizens were seen visiting numerous parks like Public Park Rawalpindi, Ayub National Park, Family Park, Commercial Market and Jinnah Park on the second day and third days of Eid. Children were seen taking swings and merry-go-rounds. The reason behind fun making at the parks was that the school children were free and fully enjoying Eid holidays.

Similarly, famous recreational spots like Shakarparian, Lok Versa, Fatima Jinnah Park (F-9 Park), Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and National Monument where thousands of people including men, women and children visited and enjoyed the Eid. A large number of people were also seen travelling towards Murree Hills to enjoy Eid celebrations. Other busy recreational places of Islamabad were the Marghazar zoo and its adjacent Children Park (Japanese Park).

The Islamabad and Punjab Police had stopped out station visitors to go to Murree because of rush on roads. The police officials were stopping all visitors here at Tarnol Toll Plaza on the occasion. Murree Road and Murree Expressway was jam packed due to rush of public.

However, the people were complaining about lack of facilities at the parks and high rates of edibles at canteens and cafeteria as well. They were also irritated while paying extra money for parking facilities at most of the parks. They were of the view that the government should make entry to all the parks with parking facilities free of cost and the prices of all items at canteens should be checked and controlled by the authorities concerned, so that the people could enjoy festive occasion there.

The families also complained against transporters particularly taxi drivers they were taking 'eidi' by commuters.