Punjab

Eid prayers offered under strict security

Over 3,500 Eid prayer gatherings held across Rawalpindi district

Our Correspondents April 13, 2024

A policeman stands guard during Eid prayers at Satellite Town Mosque in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

RAWALPINDI:

The prayers of Eidul Fitr were performed under strict security in the garrison city.

In a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people in the ongoing conflict with Israel, some people performed the Eid prayers wearing the Palestinian flag. “We will pray together for the development of Palestinian Muslims and Pakistan,” the said while talking to The Express Tribune.

More than 3,500 large and small Eid prayer gatherings were held across the district.

Large prayer gatherings were held at Liaquat Bagh, Eid Gah Sharif, Eid Gah Gwalmandi Cantt, Government Gorden College and Government College Satellite Town, where thousands of people participated in the Eid prayer gatherings.

On the occasion of Eid, a heavy police force was deployed to ensure the security of the Eid prayer gatherings. In the open grounds, worshipers were allowed to enter through a comprehensive search and walk-through gate.

Separate arrangements were made for female worshipers in the Eid prayer gatherings.

Meanwhile, there was an enormous rush of citizens in 45 cemeteries across the city on the three days of Eid.

Families started visiting the graveyards with the Fajr prayer, placed flowers on the graves of loved ones, lit up incense sticks, sprinkled with rose water and prayed for them with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The elderly, women, youth and children continued to visit the cemeteries in droves.

Meanwhile, profiteers made this opportunity a source of income and increased the prices of wreaths, flowers, leaves, candles and rose water by a hundred times.

Rose petals with other flower petals were sold at Rs500 per kg, only rose petals at Rs600 per kg, regular dry flower wreath to be placed on the grave at Rs800 and a special wreath at Rs1,500 while fresh flower wreaths were being sold at Rs2,000. A packet of incense sticks was sold at Rs200 and a bottle of rose water was sold for Rs200.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2024.