This Eid-ul-Fitr, a tapestry of communal harmony unfolded across India, transcending religious boundaries. In Jaipur, rose petals showered namaz-goers near the Eidgah, a testament to the city’s deep-rooted unity. Mumbai witnessed Hindus, wearing white caps, greeting Muslims with roses, fostering a new bond of trust. Prayagraj saw similar floral greetings and a Hindu-Muslim Iftar, emphasising the city’s “Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb.” In Seelampur, Delhi, Hindus showered flowers during both Eid and Ramadan prayers, showcasing consistent solidarity. Indore upheld a 50-year-old tradition of a Hindu family escorting the city Qazi, symbolising interfaith respect.
All in all, Hindu-Muslim unity shone across cities, with shared prayers, gifts, and gestures of goodwill, showed India’s enduring tradition of communal brotherhood and respect
Amroha and Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh also echoed these sentiments with floral greetings during Eid processions, highlighting the nation’s collective spirit of brotherhood.
These acts of kindness, from offering water to Namazi’s to sharing festive meals, shows the enduring power of unity and mutual respect, painting a vivid picture of India’s diverse yet cohesive social fabric
Jaipur, Rajasthan
On March 31, Monday, a large gathering of people in Jaipur, who had observed the month-long Roza, came together at the Eidgah and various other locations to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. They performed sajda and offered prayers, united in their hopes for peace and harmony. After the namaz, joyful greetings and embraces were exchanged, highlighting the spirit of togetherness.
Near the Eidgah, located along Delhi Road next to Jaipur’s walled city, Hindu residents greeted the namaz-goers by showering them with rose petals. This thoughtful gesture symbolised the deep-rooted communal harmony that Jaipur is known for, a beautiful reflection of mutual respect and solidarity.
The celebration also carried on with the traditional giving of ‘eidee,’ where young people received gifts from their elders. Many took the opportunity to explore the city, visiting restaurants and cinemas. The joy of Eid was palpable, with people of all ages coming together in celebration after the namaz.
“It feels wonderful to be here, with roses showered upon us,” said Syed Sajjad Hussan, a 60-year-old who attended namaz at Karbala. “Jaipur is known for its communal harmony. We, the Muslim community, also share similar gestures when our Hindu brothers celebrate festivals like Diwali or Holi,” he added. His words echoed the unifying spirit that defines the city, a sentiment reported by the Times of India.
As the walled city of Jaipur saw an influx of visitors, many Muslim residents took time off to explore the city’s iconic attractions, including Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Jantar Mantar, and the City Palace. Mustaq Khan, a 32-year-old from Ramganj Bazaar, shared, “Now that Roza is over, it’s time for celebration. I’ve taken four days off to visit various places in Jaipur with my family.” The festive spirit was evident as the streets came alive with young people heading out to enjoy the city’s vibrant offerings, from popular eateries to cinemas, with many catching the new release Sikander starring Salman Khan.
The mosques and dargahs in the walled city were beautifully illuminated for the occasion, their lights adding a magical touch to the celebratory atmosphere. Amid this vibrant energy, a heart-warming gesture of communal unity stood out. In several localities, Hindu families offered water to the Namazis, showing a profound display of goodwill and respect.
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This simple yet meaningful act of kindness highlighted the deep-rooted harmony that defines the city, where people from different communities continue to celebrate and support each other during festive occasions. Such gestures are a testament to the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in Jaipur, fostering a sense of unity that transcends religious boundaries.
The sense of togetherness in the city during Eid-ul-Fitr was truly remarkable, as Hindu and Muslim communities came together not just in spirit but through thoughtful and respectful acts that enriched the celebrations for everyone involved.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
In a different corner of the country, in Mumbai, Eid took on a special meaning this year. As the Namazis emerged from the masjid in the bustling Chirag Nagar area of Ghatkopar after finishing their Eid prayers, they were met with an unexpected gesture of goodwill. Five Hindus, dressed in white caps, stood waiting to greet them with red roses. The surprise greeting was met with warmth and curiosity, and the congregation, moved by the gesture, invited the Hindus into the mosque.
This initiative, a beautiful example of communal harmony, was led by 64-year-old Sharad Kadam, the former Mumbai president of the Rashtriya Sewa Dal, a youth organisation founded by Congress Socialists post-Independence. Inspired by Gandhian ideals, Kadam, with the suggestion of Wardha-based Gandhian Vijay Tambe, and with the help of local Muslim activist Kalubhai, decided to wear white caps—a symbol worn by both Warkaris and Gandhians—as markers of their Hindu identity.
Joining Kadam on this special occasion were members of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, an organisation founded by the late rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. Kadam emphasised the importance of unity, saying, “All of us from different organisations work together. The atmosphere today cannot be countered by any single group, especially not by a social one. That’s why I invited members from all opposition parties, but unfortunately, none thought it was worth their while.”
Kadam, who resides in Bhatwadi, Ghatkopar, has a deep connection to the local communities around the masjid, including Parsiwadi and Yasin Mistry Chawal, areas that had witnessed severe rioting during the 1992-93 communal clashes. Despite the difficult past, the heartfelt gesture of unity left a lasting impression.
The Muslims present at the mosque were deeply moved by the act of kindness and committed to nurturing this newly-formed bond beyond the festive occasion. “We won’t confine it to Eid; we will make it an ongoing relationship,” they assured Kadam, as reported by Hindustan Times.
While Kadam had participated in Hindu-Muslim harmony meetings in mosques in Malwani and Malad, this was the first time he had celebrated Eid in such a unique, personal way. It was a poignant reminder that the spirit of unity and peace can flourish in even the most unexpected places, and that such gestures of goodwill, when rooted in mutual respect, can help heal old wounds and build lasting connections.
“We need to build trust and friendship with each other,” said Kadam. “Otherwise, we’ll be decimated by those who say ‘Batengey toh katengey’” reported the HT.
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
A similar heart-warming display of unity unfolded in Prayagraj, where social organisations and members of the Hindu community came together to shower rose petals on those exiting the mosques after offering their Namas. The generous gesture saw several kilos of rose petals being used, with each Namazi greeted with a rose, symbolising goodwill and communal harmony.
According to The Free Press Journal, Raziya Sultan, who was present at the event, remarked, “Prayagraj has always been a city that promotes the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb,” reflecting the deep-rooted tradition of cultural and religious coexistence in the city.
A special Ramadan Iftar party was organised by the Hindu-Muslim Unity Committee, led by Manish Agarwal, at the Indira Bhawan Compound in Civil Lines. People from all communities participated in the event with enthusiasm and broke their fast in a harmonious atmosphere. Before the Iftar, prayers for peace, tranquillity, and brotherhood were offered. During the Iftar, those fasting broke their fast with dates, fruits, and sherbet. Attendees praised the initiative, stating that such events strengthen love and unity in society.
Manish Agarwal mentioned that the aim of the Iftar party was to spread the message of goodwill and brotherhood in society, as reported by Live Hindustan.
Seelampur, Delhi
Videos from Seelampur, Delhi, recently surfaced on social media, capturing touching moments of love and unity between Hindus and Muslims during Eid. One video showed Hindus showering flowers on Muslims as they made their way to offer Namaz for Eid-Ul-Fitr. This simple yet powerful gesture of solidarity reflected a spirit of respect and togetherness. It highlighted the deep, often overlooked bonds between the communities, offering a beautiful reminder of the peaceful coexistence that thrives amidst the more divisive narratives that often dominate the headlines.
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Another touching incident took place during the Ramadan Jumma (Friday Prayer), when Hindus once again demonstrated their support for the Muslim community. As Muslims gathered for prayers, Hindu locals could be seen sprinkling flowers over them, in a gesture of goodwill and mutual respect. This was not an isolated incident, as Seelampur also witnessed a heart-warming display of togetherness during the celebration of Holi. During the festival, despite the cultural and religious differences, Hindu locals spread flowers over the Namazis, further reinforcing the unity shared between the communities.
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Indore, Madhya Pradesh
A heart-warming incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has once again demonstrated the spirit of communal harmony in India. In keeping with a 50-year-old tradition, a Hindu family continued the practice of respectfully transporting the city Qazi to the main Idgah for the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. This remarkable act of unity saw Satyanarayan Salvadia, a resident of Indore, escorting Shahar Qazi Mohammad Ishrat Ali in a horse-drawn carriage from his Rajmohalla residence to the Idgah in Sadar Bazar.
This tradition, which began with Satyanarayan’s late father, Ramchandra Salvadia, over five decades ago, has been passed down in the family as a beautiful symbol of brotherhood. Satyanarayan, who took over this responsibility after his father’s death in 2017, expressed that through this gesture, his family hopes to spread the message of unity and harmony among the people of the city, as reported by NDTV.
Indore remains the only city in the country where a Hindu family continues to honour the Qazi with such respect during the Eid celebrations, further underscoring the unique Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (culture of unity and tolerance) of India. Mohammad Ishrat Ali, the Shahar Qazi, reflected on this cherished tradition, urging young people to view the world from a social perspective, beyond the divisive lens of politics.
As Eid prayers were offered in the city, some participants wore black armbands to show solidarity with Palestinians facing oppression, highlighting the global connection to the spirit of Eid. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jeetu Patwari also visited the Idgah, extending his wishes to the Qazi, and emphasised the importance of India’s tradition of communal harmony, stating that those who preach hatred cannot be true patriots.
This annual tradition in Indore serves as a powerful reminder of how small, respectful actions can foster a sense of community and help bridge divides, promoting love and understanding across cultures and faiths.
Amroha, Uttar Pradesh
The beautiful pictures from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, following Rajasthan, have touched many hearts. In these videos, members of the Hindu community are seen showering flowers on Muslims who are on their way to offer prayers.
राजस्थान के बाद उत्तर प्रदेश के अमरोहा से आई खूबसूरत तस्वीरें. हिंदू समुदाय के लोगों ने नमाज़ पढ़ने जा रहें मुसलमानो पर फूल बरसाकर देशभर में भाईचारे का संदेश देने का काम किया. ❤️pic.twitter.com/OyFB9QxK3y
— ♡ ارمان شيخ ♡ (@arman_shaikhh) March 31, 2025
This heart-warming gesture has become a symbol of unity and brotherhood, sending a powerful message of harmony across the country.
Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh
In Sandi town, Hardoi district, Hindus warmly showered flowers on Muslims taking part in the Eid procession, with Municipal Council President Ramji Gupta present to witness the beautiful display of solidarity. According to Dainik Bhaskar, after the prayer, members of the Muslim community generously distributed charity to the poor and needy. Outside the Eidgahs and mosques, the atmosphere resembled a vibrant fair, with both children and adults enjoying sweets, sevai (vermicelli), and toys.
As the day unfolded, people greeted one another with embraces and exchanged heartfelt Eid wishes. Prominent city figures, administrative officers, and religious leaders joined in the celebrations, collectively sending a powerful message of unity and brotherhood within the community. The event served as a reminder of the harmonious spirit that binds people together, regardless of their faith.
Related:
Everyday Harmony: A Hindu temple that serves ‘Iftar’ to Muslims during Ramzan
A legacy of Unity: Stories of harmony across faiths and cultures