Kendrapara: Muslim women from the Ahel Hadis community, broke the tradition Saturday to offer special prayers (namaz) at Masjid Mohammadi, located at Ranpada-Kacheri road, in celebration of Eid.
Special arrangements were made at the Masjid Mohammadi to help the women offer special prayer. While the Muslim women performed Eid namaz at the mosque, the male members offered their prayer at Idgah located near the Masjid Mohammadi.
Except for the women of Ahel Hadis community, other women of Minority community groups offered their Eid prayers at their houses.
“We do not find anything wrong in women coming to mosque and performing Namaz on Eid. When they were performing Namaz, men were strictly restricted. If women could undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina then they definitely hold the right to offer prayers at a mosque. At this point, we should not oppose the entry of women into mosques. It is a case of empowerment of women,” stated Mohammed Sahid, Hafiz of Masjid Mohmmadi.
Several politicians are also seen paying visit to the Muslim-dominated villages and mohallas to wish Muslim brethren for the festivity. Police arrangements were beefed up in the district to avert any untoward incident during the celebration of Eid in the communally sensitive district.
Kendrapara SP Madkar Sandeep Sampat was seen monitoring the situation Saturday morning. Several Hindus have also visited the houses of the Muslims to wish them on the occasion of Eid.
PNN
