Mangaluru: The city’s Eid celebrations saw scores of people from the Muslim community taking part in the prayers along with politicians and leaders of various faiths.

Swatagathulla Faiza of Zeenat Bakshi Masjid Bunder addressing the gathering said, “We observe a month long fast and on the 1st of the 10th month according to Muslim calendar, we observe and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. EID means re-birth of happiness and joy and this leads to peace and harmony. EID means E-Effort, I-Ideal and D-Divine. On this day we ask Almighty to give us strength to love mankind”.

MLA J.R.Lobo said that Eid is celebrated after a month long fast. Let this fast do good to oneself and to mankind. The means we choose are different, but the path to God is one.

District in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai said, “On this EID day, one need not give a lengthy talk and say that he wants to do good to others, but the way he behaves and conducts himself in the society, proves that he also considers and does good for others’ lives.

Minister for Food and Civil supplies, U T Khader U.T.Khader said, “A month long fast gives us good thoughts and this gives more opportunity for one to share those thoughts with family, friends and people in all walks of life. On the day of Eid, it makes us think and believe that all religions are equal and all of them have equal opportunity to lead a respectable life. Mangaluru has everything in plenty particularly food and education, and we should not suffer from the lack of trust and harmony. We should give a helping hand to the needy and down trodden.
Fr Pradeep Sequeria said that, what we have to learn is to give and the joy of giving is to be experienced. He shared a small story to convey the message.

Commissioner of Police Chandra sekhar, Prof M B Puranik, Pradeep Kalkura, Former MLA Yogish Bhat, St Aloysius College, Principal Fr Swebert D’Silva, Yenapoya Moideen Kunhi and others were also present.