The old city of Hyderabad came alive and a festive atmosphere prevailed in other Muslim majority neighbourhoods in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as the holy month of Ramadan began on Friday.
The activity began on Thursday night with the devout offering ‘namaz-e-taraweeh’ or special prayers at mosques. Huffaz (those who memorise holy Quran) led the prayers.
The fast began on Friday with ‘sahr’ or pre-dawn meals. Sirens blared from mosques to wake up people and again at 4.10 a.m. to mark the beginning of the fast.
Muslims abstain from consuming any food or water or engaging in sexual relations during the fast, observed every day from dawn to sunset.
This year in Hyderabad and surrounding districts, it will be nearly a 15-hour long fast as the ‘Iftar’ (breaking of fast) time is 6.58 p.m.
The streets in old city of Hyderabad and other Muslim-majority neighbourhoods in the city came alive with huge congregations at mosques for ‘namaz-e-taraweeh’ on Thursday night.
People were seen greeting each other on the beginning of the holy month. Mosques were decked up and illuminated.
The historic Mecca Masjid near Charminar, Shahi Masjid Public Gardens, Jamia Masjid Chowk, Masjid-e-Alia Gun Foundry, Azizia Masjid and other mosques witnessed huge congregations.
Special arrangements were made at some mosques and function halls for women to offer prayers. At some function halls, the prayers were held late for the convenience of traders.