India’s Muslims mark Eid al-Fitr amid community violence

SRINAGAR, India — Muslims throughout India marked Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday by providing prayers outdoors mosques, even because the celebrations this 12 months got here within the backdrop of a collection of current assaults in opposition to the group throughout the month of Ramadan.

“We is not going to have the identical form of festivity” this time, mentioned Mohammad Habeeb ur Rehman, a civil engineer in India’s monetary capital, Mumbai. “That is essentially the most painful Eid with worst reminiscences for Indian Muslims,” he added.

Anti-Muslim sentiment and assaults have surged throughout the nation within the final month, together with stone throwing between Hindu and Muslim teams throughout spiritual processions and subsequent demolitions of numerous properties principally belonging to Muslims by authorities.

The group, which makes up 14% of India’s 1.4 billion inhabitants, is reeling from vilification by hard-line Hindu nationalists who’ve lengthy espoused an anti-Muslim stance. Some leaders of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Get together have tacitly supported the violence, whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to date been silent about it.

Eid al-Fitr is often marked with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings round festive meals and new garments, however celebrations in India for the previous two years have been marred by COVID-19 restrictions.

In Indian-controlled Kashmir, the Muslim competition has been subdued for the previous three years due to an unprecedented navy lockdown after India stripped the area’s semi-autonomy in 2019, adopted by the pandemic. The area additionally noticed an increase in violence throughout Ramadan, with not less than 20 militants, two civilians and 5 police and troopers killed.

“As we put together to have a good time Eid, a powerful sense of collective loss jars at us,” mentioned Bashir Ahmed, a businessman in Srinagar.

Kashmir is the Muslim-majority disputed area the place a violent insurgency in opposition to Indian rule and New Delhi’s brutal crackdown has raged for over three a long time. Tens of 1000’s of individuals have died within the battle.

In the meantime within the capital, New Delhi, tons of assembled within the Jama Masjid, one in every of India’s largest mosques, whereas providing Eid prayers there for the primary time in over two years as a result of pandemic restrictions. Households got here collectively early on Tuesday morning whereas many individuals shared hugs and needs.

Mohammed Hamid, a software program engineer, mentioned he was grateful to offer prayers on the mosque once more.

“It is a good feeling as a result of there was a lockdown for the previous two years. With the grace of God, we’re capable of provide Eid prayers right here with the kids and we’re grateful,” Hamid mentioned.

The temper was cheerful in neighboring Bangladesh as hundreds of thousands traveled from the cities to cities and villages over the weekend to have a good time Eid. Large crowds have been seen in capital Dhaka’s principal Kamalapur Railway Station and bus terminals.

Like in India, Eid celebrations in Bangladesh for the final two years have been muted as a result of pandemic. However this 12 months, the federal government hasn’t imposed restrictions, as a substitute advising folks to observe fundamental well being protocols.

Khaleda Akter, a garment employee in Dhaka, mentioned she was going to be touring to her village and was excited to have a good time along with her mother and father.

“I’m very glad that this 12 months we are able to journey with none bother,” she mentioned.

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AP journalists Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi and Julhas Alam in Dhaka contributed.