Hyderabad: Jumat-ul-Vida or the last Friday of Muslim holy month of Ramadan passed off peacefully here with thousands of faithful offering the prayers.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order in the old city, where the largest congregation was held at the historic Mecca Masjid.
Additional security arrangements were made in view of the possible protests by the Muslim groups over violence in Assam and the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar. However, no such protest was was held.
The police diverted traffic on the main roads around Mecca Masjid and Charminar as the Muslims offered prayers on the streets adjoining the sprawling mosque, one of the biggest in India.
Huge gatherings were seen at hundreds of mosques in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Clad in their best and wearing skull cap, thousands offered prayers in Masjid-e-Chowk, Darulshifa, Masjid Ujale Shah, Public Gardens mosque, Masjid-e-Azizia and Jama Masjid Secunderabad.
The `khateeb` (priest) in their sermons exhorted Muslims to continue `namaz` and other pious deeds after Ramadan and strictly follow the holy Quran for success in this life and hereafter.
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) organised the annual `Quran day` meeting at Mecca Masjid.
The prayers also passed off peacefully in Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Guntur, Kurnool, Kadapa and other towns across the state.
IANS
