Prayers, protests and sweets for temple priests mark Eid-ul-Fitr in Coimbatore | Coimbatore News – The Times of India

COIMBATORE: Special prayers, protests against Waqf Bill, slogans in support of Palestine and distribution of sweets to temple priests and devotees marked Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in Coimbatore on Monday.
In the morning, more than 2,000 Muslims gathered on a matriculation school ground at Karumbukadai to offer their prayers. After prayers, a section of them wearing black armbands raised slogans in support of Palestine. They held placards stating that the flag of Palestine would fly over Jerusalem. They shouted slogans like “Palestine will be free,” “Palestine will win,” and “May an independent Palestine flourish.”
They also protested the Waqf Amendment Bill. Mohammed Ashik, secretary of the Students Islamic Organization (SIO), said Waqf properties were only for Muslims, and the Waqf Amendment Bill would snatch the basic rights of Muslims. “We marked the protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill and in support of Palestine,” said Ashik.
After prayers, representatives of the Hidayathul Islam Safia Jamath, Kottaimedu, visited the Kottai Sangameswarar Temple and distributed sweets to devotees, temple administrative officials and priests to mark communal harmony. The temple administrative staff members and Ayyanar Adheenam extended Eid greetings to them and gave them images of gods and goddesses.
Inayathullah, president of Hidayathullah Islam Safia Jamath, said special prayers were conducted for communal harmony and equality. “We exchanged our happiness with them (temple priests and devotees). Coimbatore is an example of communal harmony,” said Inayathullah.