Eid celebrations subdued in Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 2 (IANS) In the backdrop of recent terrorist incidents around the country, Eid celebrations were subdued in Mumbai with police keeping a strict vigil all over the city, especially Muslim-dominated pockets.

Though Muslim brethren, attired in their festive finery greeted their near and dear ones with enthusiasm, there was no bursting of crackers in most areas, as is the norm every year.

In view of the simultaneous Navaratri celebrations, the aroma of non-vegetarian Eid delicacies was conspicuously missing from many areas, including Muslim pockets in the suburbs of Bandra, Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Borivli, Kurla, Ghatkopar and Vikhroli.

Considerable communal camaraderie was evident in many areas as Hindus and Muslims greeted each other 'Eid Mubarak', sprayed perfume on each other and shared the traditional Eid dish of Sheerkhorma.

Meanwhile, the appeal by the All India Muslim Front, urging Muslims to wear black caps and bands to protest against terrorism, evoked partial response in some areas of Malad suburb.

Hordes of Muslims thronged mosques and dargahs all over the city from Wednesday evening onwards to offer prayers and then celebrated Eid.

Special Eid prayers were also conducted Thursday morning at all the mosques in Mumbai in which hundreds of thousands of Muslims took part.

According to city police, Eid celebrations have been completely peaceful and the authorities have taken 'adequate precautionary measures' to ward off any incidents.

Prominent citizens, including Maharashtra governor S.C. Jamir, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, his cabinet members, Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi, Mumbai congress president Kripa Shankar Singh and others have greeted people on the occasion of Eid.