Barak Valley gears up to celebrate Eid–ul–Fitr today
SILCHAR, August 8: In sync with other parts of the country, Muslims across Barak Valley has geared up to celebrate Eid–ul–Fitr tomorrow. This is in accordance with the decision taken by various moon sighting committees in the country, besides the declaration from the Hilal Committee of Cachar.
Mosques, both in the urban and rural areas of the valley, have been spruced up, well decorated and illuminated for the holiest of holy occasion. Different areas have been brightly illuminated and the streets have been decorated with banners and flags.
Dahar Mazumder, secretary of Bara Masjid, told The Sentinel over telephone, “Today is the 30th Ramzan – the holy month of fasting and Eid–ul–Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow.”
He said the celebration throughout the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi would be strictly on the basis of the tenets of Islam. All care would be taken to maintain the religious sanctity, besides adherence to the spirit of self–restraint.
Abdul Hoque Barbhuiya, a school teacher, explained that Ramzan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam alongside the belief in the ‘Oneness of God’, the finality of the prophet–hood of Mohammed, establishment of the daily prayers, concern for and alms giving to the needy, and the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able.
He added to say Eid ul–Fitr is one of the two biggest Muslim holidays of the year, often compared to Christmas in its significance and revelry. The other major holiday is the sacrificial feast of Eid–ul–Zuha, at the end of the Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims fill the mosques early in the morning to attend the congregational Eid prayers.
The different shops of the town today are seen crowded with men, women and children busy in shopping and buying essentials like new clothes, shoes, ornaments, sweets, bangles, cards among others.
However, Rashid Ali, a sweet–meat vendor of Fatak Bazar, the main trade centre of this town, said compared to other occasions in the past, he could not do good business. He attributed the phenomenon to the hard economic condition of general Muslims and their low purchasing power.
Akhtar Tapadar, owner of a cap house, also spoke of depressed business on the sale of caps, perfumes and also ‘mousala’, known as ‘jainamaz’, the latter is used by the devout Muslims to sit while offering prayers. From his shop are also available beads and other various items for the holy Ramzan.
According to the sources, the Eid prayers at Itakhola Idgah will be held at 8.30 am and it will be conducted by Imam Maulana Shabbir Ahmed of Silchar Bara Masjid. Moulana Nurul Hoque Talukdar, principal, Silchar Alia Madrasa, will conduct the Eid prayers at College Road Idgha. Source: The Sentinel 09.08.2013
