India celebrates Eid today; PM Modi, other leaders extend Eid-ul-Fitr greetings

Eid-ul-Fitr: The festival is marked with feasts and the faithful offers prayers at mosques and idgahs to seek blessings of the divine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Iftar this morning as people from the Muslim community gathered at mosques across the country to offer prayers.

New Delhi: Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan, is being celebrated across the country on Wednesday as the moon was sighted on Tuesday evening. Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari made the announcement yesterday after a meeting of the moon-sighting committee in New Delhi. "The moon was sighted today (Tuesday). That means Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday in Delhi and other parts of the country," a senior official at the city's historic mosque told media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Iftar this morning as people from the Muslim community gathered at mosques across the country to offer prayers.  "Have a blessed Id-ul-Fitr," PM Modi wrote on Twitter. He also tweeted his greetings in Urdu.

Have a blessed Id-ul-Fitr. pic.twitter.com/71R9GMW3Tf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2019

Eid-ul-Fitr symbolises peace and brotherhood. The festival is marked with feasts and the faithful offers prayers at mosques and idgahs to seek blessings of the divine. People, especially children dress up in their traditional fineries to mark the festival. Watch- Besides the Prime Minister, President Ram Nath Kovind also greeted fellow citizens on Eid. "Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The festival of Idu’l Fitr strengthens our belief in charity, fraternity and compassion. May this happy occasion bring joy and prosperity to everyone’s lives," he wrote on Twitter.

#EidMubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The festival of Idu’l Fitr strengthens our belief in charity, fraternity and compassion. May this happy occasion bring joy and prosperity to everyone’s lives #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 5, 2019

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also posted Eid greetings on Twitter.

#EidMubarak and my best wishes to all on the auspicious occasion of #EidulFitr pic.twitter.com/0lBpD1SL3O

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 5, 2019

Union Minister Smriti Irani - who defeated the Congress chief in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, a Nehru-Gandhi family borough in the national elections- also tweeted her greetings.

May the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr deepen the spirit of brotherhood and bring happiness & peace to all. #EidMubarak

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 5, 2019

Here are some more Twitter greetings from the leaders and celebrities of the country-

#ईदमुबारक #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/kYNWtJ1qN8

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) June 5, 2019

May the pious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr bring peace, prosperity and harmony in every part of the world. #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/AFEeS2M1Wg

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) June 5, 2019

Happy Eid???? May you all be blessed with love, peace and prosperity... #EidMubarak #EidUlFitr pic.twitter.com/rVjC6mv0Ht

— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) June 5, 2019

Eid Mubarak everyone! Wish lots of happiness and love to all on this auspicious occasion! #EidMubarak

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) June 5, 2019

May this joyous ocassion brings peace, prosperity and happiness to everyone.

सभी को ईद मुबारक! #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/hLkNPQeCRd — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) June 5, 2019

Eid Mubarak everyone! ???? #EidMubarak #EidAlFitr pic.twitter.com/6TiCy7n2Ue

— Nivin Pauly (@NivinOfficial) June 5, 2019

#EidMubarak

A joyous & blessed Eid-ul-Fitr from #TeamMEA pic.twitter.com/YhGy16j5OC — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2019

Eid greetings. #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/3LHz26MZjB

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) June 5, 2019

While, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and DMK president M K Stalin Tuesday extended their greetings on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. "I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters," Purohit said expressing hope that the people would practise kindness, compassion among other qualities. "By recalling the tenets of Islam which lay emphasis on peace, purity and submission and obedience to the will of God, let us resolve to practise the qualities of kindness, compassion, benevolence, generosity and tolerance towards our fellow citizens," the Governor said in a statement. In his message, Palaniswami highlighted the initiatives of the AIADMK government for the benefit of Muslim community and said it was an extension of what was initiated by 'Amma' (late Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa). "On this occasion, I extend my greetings and pray to god to usher in peace, progress and prosperity," he said. Stalin said his party had 'ceaselessly' worked for Muslims and it would continue to remain so. AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, PMK's S Ramadoss, MDMK's Vaiko were among other leaders who extended their greetings. In neighbouring union territory of Puducherry, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his cabinet colleagues greeted members of Muslim community. "Charity and good deeds mark the celebration and it is a unique festival in which love and affection are showered transcending religion,teaching patience and humility," Bedi said.