Dawoodi Bohras celebrate Eid with friends and family on Friday

From early morning, Muffazal Shakir was either busy greeting people or accepting their greetings. The day started early for the Dawoodi Bohra community, which celebrated Eid on Friday.

Eid marks the last day of the holy month of Ramzan, and is among the prominent festive days of Muslims across the world. While Dawoodi Bohras celebrated on Friday, the rest of the Muslim community will observe the celebrations on Saturday.

"The sadness of letting go of the holy month of Ramzan was erased by the celebrations of Eid. Ramzan is a month where we get to repent and the prayers and good deeds of this month are answered manifold," said Muffazal Shakir, member of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Shakir, like many in his community, sought the blessings of their spiritual leader, before getting into the celebratory mood. That was followed by a heavy breakfast organised through their community kitchen before heading to another community member's house.

"We make sure that we either go to someone's house or call them to ours. Like every year many of us decided to meet at one person's house, so as to save travel time," said Shakir.

With the Dawoodi Bohra community celebrating the festival on Friday, Eid will be a weekend celebrations of sorts, with the moon-sighting committee declaring Eid for the other sects on Saturday. "The moon was sighted and Eid will be celebrated tomorrow. We will be offering early morning prayers, after which other celebrations will start," said Maulana Hakim Mehmood Dariyabadi, member of the All India Ulema Council.

The day will be followed by giving Eidi, a gift of money to young ones, and acts of charity. People also make sure to prepare several delicacies at home and invite guests over. "Typical dishes are Sheerkhorma, biryani, and chicken preparations, among others," said Dariyabadi.