National News

ISLAMABAD, Jul 6 (APP): Eidul Fitr was celebrated on Wednesday
across the country with religious zeal and fervour.
The day dawned with special Eid sermons where Ulema stressed
for the unity of Muslim Ummah and prayed for the prosperity and
well-being of the country.
Worshippers offered Eid prayers at congregations in mosques,
Imambargahs and in grounds.
Ulema and Khateebs from different schools of thought delivered
sermons to highlight the significance of the day.
Eid is an Arabic term meaning “festivity” or “celebration”
while Fitr means “to break the fast”. It falls on the first day of
Shawwal Al-Mukarram, following a month of fasting.
Eid is celebrated for three days period. It is a joyous
occasion for all Muslims, particularly children. It is a time for
spreading peace, sharing with others and giving thanks for
completing another period of fasting for the month of Ramazan.
After Eid prayers at places of worship, Muslims spent their
time feasting with family and friends and shared food and money with
those who are less fortunate.
Sweets and other special dishes were prepared for serving the
guests. People also exchanged gifts on the occasion.
A large number of people visited graveyards to remember their
departed loved ones on Eid day and offered fateha for their souls.
Women, children and youngsters started visiting cemeteries on
Chand Raat and early morning on Eid day to remember their family members
and friends buried there and recited verses from the Holy Quran.
They also cleaned graves and showered rose petals, laid wreaths
and lit incenses in the memory of their dear ones.
President Mamnoon Hussain celebrated Eid in Islamabad while
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif celebrated the occasion with his family
in London, where he is recuperating from a heart surgery on the advice
of his doctors.
Politicians including cabinet ministers spent Eid day in their
constituencies and exchanged Eid greetings with public.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif spent Eid
day with the troops in the forward areas of North and South
Waziristan agencies.
The COAS offered his Eid prayers at Shawal and interacted with
the troops.
Strict security measures were adopted in cities and towns to
ensure security of the public and police remained on high alert.
Police kept patrolling crowded areas like busy roads, markets,
shopping centers and graveyards to avert any untoward incident.
The government had declared four Eid holidays from July 5 to
July 8.