Mumbai: Fortunate are people to do Haj in the holy month of Ramadan, but few people are more fortunate than others for celebrating Eid twice. Several Muslims are fortunate to offer their Eid-ul Fitr prayers at Masjid-e-Nabwi or the Prophet’s mosque in Madina and then running to catch up their flight heading for the native place to offer second Eid-ul-Fitr prayers or celebrate Eid for the second time.
One such example is of Rizwan Malik who is currently in Saudi Arabia for his Umrah and offered his Eid-ul-Fitr prayers but in the same afternoon will catch up with Mumbai bound flight, TOI reported.
The next morning he will offer his Eid prayers according to the moon citing in India, celebrating Eid with his relatives in Mumbai.
Malik is among several Muslims who will celebrate Eid twice this year, first one either in Mecca or Medina, and the second one at their native place.
Since Mumbai and other states have direct flights to Jeddah, Umrah performers have planned their pilgrimage in such way that they could celebrate Eid twice.
“Many pilgrims told us months in advance that they want to celebrate Eid at Mecca or Medina and then in Mumbai. We booked them on the flights which will enable them to reach the city in time for Eid celebrations here,” said Yusuf Ahmed Khereda of Al Khalid Tours and Travels, a leading tour operator.
This demand to book pilgrimage flights on Eid day from Jeddah and Madina to Mumbai has increased over the past few years say tour operators in the city.
One another example is of Sameer Chunawala who has been going on Ramadan Umrah for the past two decades.
And so far he has maintained to attend two Eids, one in Saudi and the other one in Mumbai for some years now.
“Eid is Muslims’ biggest festival. So, I try to celebrate the festivities both at one of the holiest cities (Mecca or Medina) and with the extended family in Mumbai,” said Chunawala.