Shoppers go into overdrive ahead of Eid celebrations

MUMBAI: Markets were buzzing with activity on Saturday during the final weekend of Ramzan.
Given that Mumbai celebrates Eid after observing 29 ‘rozas’ this year, the community leaders will decide on Sunday whether the additional ‘roza’ must be fulfilled after the festival.
“The ulema and muftis will decide on the matter and inform us,” said Qari Niyaz Ahmed Qadri, vice-president of the Darul Uloom Hanfia Rizvia at Colaba.
However, the president of All-India Ulema Council Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi said this was a remote possibility. In his Eid message, Daryabadi sent out a prayer of peace for the victims of the Assam violence.
Like Qari Niyaz Ahmed, the heads of various mosques and madarsas sent out a prayer for peace and brotherhood on ‘alvida jumma’ (Friday) and will do so again Monday morning.
Meanwhile, the buzz ahead of celebrations is palpable in markets across Muslim neighbourhoods from Mohammed Ali Road to Andheri, Bandra, Kalina, Kurla and Jogeshwari.
In anticipation of the special morning ‘namaz’, men were seen shopping for ‘shalwar-kurta’ and skull caps across Bhendi Bazar and Pydhonie. Women thronged the bazars to buy clothes and fashion accessories. Food remains a priority and as the Ramzan bazars get ready to wind up on Sunday, huge crowds arrived to savour the final meats and ‘malpuas’ of the season. However, the Bohra community which observes Ramzan by a fixed calendar celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday after completing their 30th roza on Friday.
“We felt especially blessed to have our two iconic leaders Aqamoula Dr Mohammed Burhanuddin Maula and Dr Mufaddal Maula amidst us this year. It was a privilege not just to see them but receive their guidance during prayer,” said Bohri businessman Murtuza Ali.
On Saturday morning, the Mazgaon masjid where Ali prayed was full to capacity. After the special namaz, the congregation greeted one another and went home to distribute ‘sheerkorma’ among relatives.