Eid festivities subdued as state picks up pieces
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bakreid was observed in a subdued manner on Wednesday in Kerala, which is slowly recovering from the rain fury that has claimed over 250 .
Sending a message of communal amity, a mosque in Malappuram district has provided shelter and food to several Hindu families displaced by the massive floods. As many as 17 displaced Hindu families, including women, children and the elderly were given space to sleep inside the mosque, provided food prepared at its canteen
On Wednesday, hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across the state in large numbers to mark the festival of sacrifice.
Special prayers were held at mosques for those who have lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer.
But, the number of special eidgahs was comparatively low at many places in the wake of water yet to recede in the low-lying areas and the ongoing rescue-and-relief operations.
At many mosques, volunteers were seen collecting donations for the flood-hit people from the devotees. Moulavi VP Suhaib, Imam of the Palamyam Juma Masjid here, urged the people to extend all possible help to those affected.
“A large number of people are suffering due to the floods, help them, extend all possible support to them,” he said, while leading the eidgah at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here. The Imam also urged the faithful to donate the money they had kept aside for the celebrations to the affected people.
Maiza, a Non-resident India (NRI), who came here from the Gulf to celebrate Bakr-eid, said her family had decided not to buy new clothes or prepare any special delicacies to mark the festival.
“It used to be a colourful occasion. But this time, we have decided to keep it a lowkey affair to express our solidarity with the people in distress,” she said.