Confusion over Eid-ul-Fitr in Prayagraj, majority to celebrate festival today

PRAYAGRAJ: Even after the declaration of the sighting of the Eid moon by Sheher Qazi late on Wednesday night, a majority of Muslims in Prayagraj did not celebrate the festival on Thursday, as there were no reports of the moon being sighted in other cities of the state. Over half of the city’s Muslims, including Shia Muslims, will now celebrate Eid on Friday.

Sheher Qazi Shafeeq Ahmad Sharifi issued a letter to celebrate Eid on Thursday on the 29th Ramzan after five persons from Purkhas village of Kaushambi claimed sighting of moon as per Islamic Shariat. After a meeting, Sunni Markazi Roohate Belal committee chief and Sheher Qazi Mufti Shafeeq Ahmad Sharifi declared celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr late in the night. However, it caused chaos among members of Muslim community who were confused over the sighting of moon.

Other religious leaders held meetings and urged Muslims to celebrate Eid on Friday as the sighting of the moon could not be confirmed. Amidst confusion throughout the night, Eid prayers were offered at Jama Masjid Chowk along with some other mosques in Sabzi Mandi, Shahganj, Hammam Gali, Pathar Gali, Atala, Akbarpur etc. However, Muslims of Deobandi sect, Shia Muslims and a section of Barelvi sect did not celebrate Eid.

Wasiabad masjid Imam Mufti Saif-ur-Rehman and Imam-e-Juma Shia Jama Masjid Hasan Raza Zaidi declared that Eid be celebrated on Friday.

The confusion over celebration of Eid also caused resentment among Muslims in the city. A large number of Muslims in the Old City areas and even in rural areas observed Ramzan fast on Thursday to complete all 30 days of Ramzan. Confusion over Eid also resulted in arguments on social media sites.