DELHI: Juma-tul-Wida prayers were offered this afternoon [Sept 15] in the famous Jama Mosque of Delhi by over five lacs of Muslims, most of whom had gathered from the neighbouring localities. Juma-tul-Wida is the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan and is celebrated by Muslims all over the world.

Interesting scenes around Jama Mosque were witnessed today, when men and women from surrounding villages in colourful garments settled in the lawns opposite the main gate of the Mosque. Majority of people had arrived two or three days earlier just to get the nearest place from the Imam, the leader of the congregation in the prayers. In the morning while the Muslim citizens of Delhi were busy finishing their routine work, the outsiders had already taken their places in the Mosque.

Along with other Indian Army men a large number of Negro Muslim soldiers stationed at Delhi also offered their prayers. Separate arrangements were made for women. Entire traffic on the roads leading to the Jama Mosque was suspended today between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A film was shot of the prayer scenes and a number of Britishers and Americans with their cameras were also present. (Dawn, Delhi)

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2014