Lucknow, Nov 28 (IANS) Muslims across Uttar Pradesh celebrated Eid-ul-Zuha Saturday with traditional fervour as thousands attended the special morning prayers in mosques amid heavy deployment of police and security personnel.
In Lucknow, the biggest crowds were seen at the Aishbagh Eidgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) and the Aasifi Masjid in the old city area here.

After the congregational prayers, a large number of Muslims sacrificed animals, particularly goats, and distributed their meat among family, friends and the poor.

“We prayed to Allah to free our country from terrorism that has now become a global threat,” said Naeem Ansari, a resident of Rakabganj locality in the old city area.

Arshad Khan, another devotee, who attended the morning prayers at the Kursi Road mosque here, said: “We hope that all our Muslim brothers around the globe will celebrate the festival with gaiety and will remember Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice”.

People also thronged the markets to buy new clothes and sweets for the festival that also marks the end of Haj.

As a part of the elaborate security arrangements, the state government has deployed 35 companies of the Police Action Committee (PAC) and 10 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in parts of Uttar Pradesh, an official said.

“Security has been stepped up at all sensitive and busy places for three days,” Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Brij Lal told reporters.

Security and patrolling have been stepped up in all the 71 districts.