Dawoodi Bohras celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with prayers, feasting

Dawoodi Bohras on Monday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Bohras offered prayers early in the day before distributing sweets and preparing meals on the occasion.

"We visited the Aqa Maula Mufaddal Saifuddin to seek his blessings and then returned home to celebrate the feast with family and friends," said Esmail Neemuchwala, a resident of Null Bazaar.

Unlike the majority of Muslims worldwide, the Dawoodi Bohra community marks Eid-ul-Fitr on a specific date of the Egyptian calendar. Most of the other groups will celebrate on the day after the sighting of the new moon by the local religious authorities.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the believers say, is one of the days God gives his followers to rejoice after observing 30 days of abstinence. The month-long fasting is intended to help believers to detach from worldly desires through worship and the practise of virtues.

Along with the prayers, giving in charity especially to the poor and the needy is an obligation on the occasion.

Another day, Eid-al-Adha, is celebrated about two months later to mark prophet Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail in submission to God.

Sheer korma, biryani, egg and mutton dishes are the pick of the food preparation, Many do purchase new clothes for the occasion.

"We will visit relatives and friends through the day," said Neemuchwala, who is an architect by profession.

Maulana Moinuddin Ashraf said that this year the celebrations have been somewhat subdued as many people are disturbed by the violence in Gaza.