Headlines
Muslims in Kerala offer Eid prayers
Thiruvananthapuram, July 18
Muslims across
Kerala on Saturday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, to mark the end of the 30-day
fasting period. Morning rain at some places, however, forced many of
the faithful to stay indoors during the prayers organised at a stadium
here.
The biggest crowds were witnessed in Muslim-dominated areas
of the state like Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur, as well as in Kochi
and the state capital.
Muslims in Kerala account for around 24 percent of the 33 million population.
At all the prayer centres, there were separate enclosures for women and children, who had turned up in large numbers.
Mutton
and Beef stalls were crowded at most places as people queued up to get
their requirements for the day. The price of mutton at some places went
up to Rs.625 per kg, while beef was sold at up to Rs.300 per kg.
The
state government has declared a two-day holiday on the occasion of Eid
for all educational institutions and for government offices.