HYDERABAD: Muslims in the Old City look forward to the Jummat al Vida (last Friday of Ramdan). With no much time left the elderly people in the community along with the young lads help in giving a facelift to the Masjids starting from cleaning the prayer hall, lighting, security and alloting spaces for stalls to distribute dry fruits, ajwaan, sheer Korma to accommodate and facilitate millions of devotees for celebrating this auspicious day in a grand manner.On this day, Muslims perform, the faithful walk towards the mosque proclaiming aloud the glory and praise of Allah.According to Islamic beliefs, when the faithful are on the way they are surrounded by the Angels and from the edges of the Ka’abah pours in blissful showers of mercy and forgiveness.Muslims believe without any shadow of a doubt that the last Friday of Ramadan is the day for the acceptance of du’as (prayers).So it is of absolute importance that on this holy day heartfelt prayers should be offered for the success and well-being of the Muslim Ummah (community).If a typical day of Roza or fasting is an occasion of struggle against hunger, thirst and fatigue for the believers, the Iftar or the moment of breaking the fast is the movement of reward when the variety of food items, specially the fruits and snacks are laid out.Salim, owner of a fast food joint says, business does not let him spare much time for joining in all the festivities but Namaz and Dua is indispensable for him.The young ladies are busy doing last minute shopping after breaking their fast to look their best on this day.Timings The festival starts off with Isha Namaz at 7 pm when the time of Maghrib (after sunset prayer) ends and twilight is seen.Followed by Isha, is the Dua at 9 pm and Ibaadat to make wishes for the coming year and reading of the holy book under the Tarabeen.Around 5 lakh Muslims are expected to offer Namaz at Mecca Masjid, says Mohd Majeed, caretaker of a Mosque in Old City.The end of Ramadan heralds the festival of Eid-ul-fitr.ZakatVaseef, a student of BCom says, I would donate clothes and food for the poor from my pocket money as it has been the tradition for many years now.Mohammed Hali, owner of sweet stall in Old City says, “Every Muslim is supposed to save 20 per cent of his income every month throughout the year to donate things to the poor on the day of Jagne ki raat (Saturday) in the name of Allah.Security arrangementsPolice are deployed, starting early Friday morning across the city and concentrating in the Old City in order to maintain security as tens of thousands of worshipers are expected to arrive for prayers at Mecca Masjid.Talking about the security arrangements, Deputy commissioner of police, South Zone, Vineet Brijlal says, “We have deployed about 2,500 policemen for taking care of the major part of the security, 55 platoons at various venues have been placed and 1,000 odd civil police teams will be in place.Apart from this, 50 bomb disposal squads have been arranged and the traffic personnel have also been set for managing vehicular movement on the day.”
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