Prayers, silent protests mark Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Vijayawada

Muslim children show placards against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill at a namaz congregation in Vijayawada on Monday.
| Photo Credit: G.N. Rao

Amid silent protests, many people gathered at various masjids in Vijayawada to offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday, marking the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.

At Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium, people arrived for Namaz wearing black ribbons in response to a call given by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board as a form of protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Muslim Joint Action Committee Convener Munir Ahmed, Muslim Hakkula Porata Samiti president Farooq Shubli and other prominent leaders of the community participated in the prayers.

Muslims offering special prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr in Vijayawada on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
G.N. Rao

Maulana Mohammed Aijazuddin Siddiqui, leading the prayers and addressing the crowd, prayed that “the eyes of the governments be opened” and the Bill, which suggests more than 40 amendments to the existing law, is withdrawn “so that the rights of the Muslims are protected”.

Many YSRCP leaders participated in the prayers conducted at the IGMC stadium.

At a ground near Surya School in the city, Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao and Penamaluru MLA Bode Prasad participated in the Namaz along with other party leaders.

Extending greetings to the people, Mr Rammohan Rao said as per instructions from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the process of identifying land for the construction of Eidgahs is under way in the city. The constructions will be completed by the next Ramzan, he said.

Mr. Prasad said he has got ₹50 lakh sanctioned by Mr. Naidu for the development of a masjid in Vuyyuru. A land worth ₹5 crore in Gosala village of Krishna district has been identified for construction of an Eidgah, he said. The two representatives assured that the TDP will always work for the welfare of the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, silent protests were also seen at other masjids in the city.