Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Meghalaya

Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was on Monday celebrated across Meghalaya with prayers for peace in the country and across the world.

"We are sad about the situation across the world and even in our country. Allah will listen to our prayers for peace, stability, development and happiness in the world," said Shillong Muslim Union General Secretary Sayeedulah Nongrum.

Thousands of men and children clad in new clothes offered prayers in Eidgahs and mosques in Shillong, Dawki, Nongpoh, Lad Rymbai, Byrnihat and in the Garo Hills region.

The biggest congregation was at the Eidgah of India's first glass mosque, the Madina Masjid in Shillong, where over 10,000 people offered prayers.

Every Muslim family donated to charity so that the poor can also celebrate the festival.

After prayers, Muslims visited the houses of relatives and friends to greet them. Guests were treated to "sheer khorma" (sweet made of vermicelli, milk and dry fruits) and other delicacies.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma greeted the people on the occasion.

Purohit hoped "this joyous festival which celebrated the end of Ramadan will reinforce our belief in human values like compassion, sacrifice, brotherhood and harmony."

Sangma said Eid-ul-Fitr "enables each one of us to reaffirm our commitment to spread the spirit of love, compassion and empathy and further strengthen the elements of understanding, tolerance and solidarity."

Muslims constitute four percent of the nearly three million people of predominantly Christian Meghalaya.