SHIKARPUR – At least 13 people, including five cops, were injured after one of the two suicide bombers struck the Eid congregation in a Shikarpur mosque, police said Tuesday. The district police said four suicide attackers infiltrated Khanpur and reached

SHIKARPUR – At least 13 people, including five cops, were injured after one of the two suicide bombers struck the Eid congregation in a Shikarpur mosque, police said Tuesday.

The district police said four suicide attackers infiltrated Khanpur and reached Shikarpur district of Sindh province.

Two of the attackers targeted an Eid prayer ground where one assailant blew himself up, injuring 10 people, two of whom were policemen. The other attacker fled, police sources said.

Two other attackers targeted an imambargah but were stopped by police at the entrance on account of appearing suspicious. One of the attackers blew himself up after he was stopped by guards for a search, whereas the other was arrested, police said.

The second attacker, a would-be suicide bomber, was shot and wounded at the scene, after which the officers arrested him.

On the other hand, according to the reports in local media, the second attacker was overpowered by the people and also tortured before handed over to the police.

Three police officers were wounded in the explosion. One of the wounded officers was reportedly in critical condition.

Those injured in the blast have been admitted to hospitals in Shikarpur for treatment.

Additional contingents of police have been deployed at the blast site.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sindh Inspector General of Police AD Khawaja reached Shikarpur and inspected the blast site. He also visited the injured admitted in different hospitals. The IGP announced Rs1 million financial aid for those who were seriously injured.

Bakhtwar Bhutto Zardari took it to Twitter to appreciate the policemen who showed great courage.</s>KARACHI: At least 13 people, including five policemen, were on Tuesday injured in two separate suicide bombings during Eid prayers targeting minority Shias in Pakistan’s relatively peaceful southern Sindh province.

Four suicide attackers infiltrated Shikarpur district’s Khanpur tehsil, 470 kilometres north of Karachi, police said.

Two of the attackers targeted an Eid prayer ground where one assailant blew himself up, injuring 10 people, two of whom were policemen. The other attacker fled, they said.

Two other suicide bombers targeted a Shia mosque but they were stopped at the entrance by policemen, which led to one of the attackers to blow himself up while the other was arrested.

Three policemen were injured in the attack, one of whom was critical. Last year, at least 61 people were killed in a suicide attack on a mosque in the district.

“If the policemen had not prevented these suicide bombers from entering the prayer venues there would have been large-scale casualties because of the large gathering because of Eid prayers,” he said.

He said the attackers at the Shia mosque were stopped by policemen as they looked suspicious and when confronted one of them detonated himself.

“The other attacker was brought down and arrested,” he added. Those injured in the blast have been admitted to hospitals in Shikarpur for treatment. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.</s>England cricket star Moeen Ali joined an estimated 40,000 worshippers for prayers at Eid al-Adha in Small Heath Park today.

Moeen was pictured in a hat and black zip-up top instead of his more familiar Waitrose-sponsored white England shirt.

A Sparkhill Muslim of Pakistani descent, the left-handed batsman made his first class debut for Warwickshire in 2005 before joining Worcestershire in 2007.

Moeen tweeted: “Eid salah done! Eid Mubarak to everyone. May Allah accept everyone’s hajj. Ameen!!”

The weather was warm and thankfullly dry after Saturday's prolonged rain 48 hours earlier.

Sherjeel tweeted: "Last Eid at Small Heath, (a) man was in the front row (and) I realised how peak hay fever can be after Ramadhan and no hay fever tablets."

On Facebook, Ayesha Haque wrote: "Eid Mubarak to all the team and volunteers and everyone of Green Lane Masjid who help make Eid in the park possible!"

"We stayed to listen to the khutba (public preaching). Your speech was understood so clearly. We been going to the park since its started this is first time we enjoyed."

Another large scale event was held in Ward End park as well as prayers at various mosques around the city.

Earlier today, National Express warned of potential delays around Small Heath between 9am and 1pm due to the prayers in the park.

Network West Midlands then tweeted at 11am to say services were running up to 30 minutes late due to traffic congestion.

The celebration commemorates Ibraham’s devotion to Allah and also the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) that all Muslims must undertake at least once in their lives.

Worshippers carry out a series of rituals at Mecca including gathering for prayers on the plain of Arafah, near Mount Arafat.

They pray to be forgiven for all their sins committed over the preceding year and the coming year.

How does it compare with Eid al-Fitre earlier this summer?

The Adi al-Adha event doesn’t include stalls, refreshments, funfair and other family activities associated with Eid al-Fitr on July 6.

This occasion marked the end of the daily fasting through the month of Ramadan and drew an estimated attendance of 80,000 people.</s>A suicide bomber injured four policemen, one critically, outside a Shiite mosque in southern Pakistan as the country marked the beginning of the religious festival Eid al-Adha on Tuesday.

The attack took place in Shikarpur in Sindh province, around 470 kilometres (300 miles) north of Karachi and the same district where at least 61 were killed in a suicide attack on another Shiite mosque in 2015.

Officials said two suicide bombers tried to enter the Khanpur Imambargah but were intercepted by police.

"Four of our men are injured of whom one is critical," Umar Tufail, a senior local police officer told AFP.

Tufail added doctors were also trying to save the life of the other suspected bomber, who was injured when the first one blew himself up but failed to detonate himself.

"The attackers came as the worshippers were gathering to offer Eid prayers. Police were able to stop him at the gate outside the mosque," A.D. Khawaja, chief of police for Sindh province said.

Worshippers overpowered the second would-be suicide bomber as the police were reeling from their injuries, he added.

Pakistan has been hit by frequent sectarian violence in recent years, most of it perpetrated by hardline Sunni Muslim groups against minority Shiite Muslims, who make up around one in five of the population.

The January 2015 attack on the Shiites in Shikarpur, blamed on the Sunni militant Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group, led to a wave of nationwide protests.

In another incident Tuesday, a police van was hit by a roadside bomb in Quetta city in the southwestern province of Baluchistan.

"One policeman was killed and five others injured when their van was targeted," local police official Abdul Razaq told AFP.

He said two of the injured were in critical condition.

The incident was confirmed by local administration official Akbar Harifal.

Baluchistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has oil and gas resources but is afflicted by Islamist militancy, sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and a separatist insurgency.</s>The day begins with morning prayers. The celebrations continue with visits to friends and family, exchange of gifts and feasts. Those who can afford it also slaughter an animal, like a cow or sheep, and share the meat with the less fortunate.

Here are five things to know about the holiday:

one of two Eid holidays observed by Muslims. 1. Pronounced EED al-UHD-huh, the holiday is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. It isobserved by Muslims. The other is Eid al-Fitr , which follows the conclusion of Ramadan, the month of fasting.

when God appeared to Abraham -- known as Ibrahim to Muslims -- in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a sheep to kill in place of his son. 2. Eid al-Adha commemorates-- known as Ibrahim to Muslims -- in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a sheep to kill in place of his son. A version of the story also appears in the Torah and in the Bible's Old Testament.

3. To commemorate God's test of Ibrahim, many Muslim families sacrifice an animal and share the meat with the poor. They also are required to donate to charities that benefit the poor. Muslims also routinely exchange presents during the holiday. Ahead of Eid celebrations, a vendor awaits customers at a market in Dubai. height of the Hajj, 4. Considered one of Islam's revered observances, the four-day religious holiday corresponds with the the pilgrimage to Mecca that all financially and physically able Muslims are required to undertake once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage annually draws 2 million Muslims. Muslim pilgrims attend the evening prayers inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca 5. This year, Eid al-Adha will begin on Monday, in most of the Muslim world. Because the festival depends on the sighting of the new moon, some countries may celebrate on Tuesday. Eid Mubarak (pronounced EED muh-BAR-ack) and Eid Saeed are routine greetings used during the observance to offer best wishes.</s>The celebration of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, which began on Monday, has provided a long-overdue respite for the littlest victims of Syria's devastating war.

Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, the four-day celebration started with morning prayers and continues with feasts and visits to friends and family. Gifts are exchanged.

The deal calls for a halt to the violence between the Syrian regime and rebel forces. It also allows much-needed humanitarian access to besieged cities such as Aleppo.

The desperately-needed #ceasefire couldn't come soon enough for #Syria's children. https://t.co/sfUOTz0KIF pic.twitter.com/l9Qrj9PHbp — Save the Children US (@SavetheChildren) September 12, 2016 Aleppo has seen many of its neighborhoods come under fire and more than 6,000 people -- mainly civilians -- killed or injured. But this week at least, the giggles, laughs and excited voices of young children were heard rising from the city's ruins. Children lined up for simple amusement rides and mingled with costumed characters. We try to provide basic life needs for Aleppo's children who have forgotten the spirit of Eid because of Syrian war. pic.twitter.com/EDv5eL7zG8 — SOS-Syria (@SOS_Children_Sy) September 12, 2016 A decade ago Aleppo was a bustling economic hub boasting more than 2 million residents. Its robust history and ancient architecture drew many tourists. After four years of hellish battle, the city is now estimated to be home to roughly one-tenth of that number, between 200,000 and 300,000 people. The fighting has been brutal, and many residents have been killed. Others have fled. Those who remained haven't received much aid and are suffering shortages of food, fuel and medicine, a situation that grew only more desperate in July when President Bashar Assad's forces bombarded a major supply artery into the city. Just hours before the ceasefire began Monday evening, airstrikes continued to bombard opposition targets. In addition to eid outfits we have delivered food aid to families of 8.500 orphans in #Syria. pic.twitter.com/GjHC8odE7D — Humanitarian Relief (@IHHen) September 9, 2016 At least seven people, including three children, were killed in rebel-held eastern Aleppo on Monday, according to UK-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The latest assault followed the deaths of 93 people in airstrikes in Aleppo and Idlib over the weekend -- 61 of them in an attack on a popular market where residents were shopping ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday. The Syrian civil war has killed more than 300,000 people and forced more than 5 million to flee the country, spawning an international refugee crisis.</s>Monday 12 September marks the start of an auspicious week for millions of Muslims around the world, as devotees commence the annual Eid al-Adha celebrations following the end of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

Despite also being known as 'Eid', the September festival is distinct from Eid al-Fitr, the annual date that comes immediately after Ramadan, which in celebrated in the summer months.

The Muslim holiday officially began Monday and continues through Thursday this week. It's also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or the Greater Eid and honors Prophet Abraham's sacrifice of his son Ishmael, as an act of submission to God's command.

The celebrations commence with Muslims going to the Mosque for morning prayers, and later gifting, family gatherings and the exchanging of cards.

Traditionally, the festival lasts for four days but public holidays vary around the world - with Arab countries observing a nine-day public holiday from Friday, September 9 until Saturday, September 17 2016.

Here's all you need to know on Greater Eid.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the 12th month and lasts for four days until the 13th day. n the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.

The exact date and timing of the occasion varies on the positioning of the moon at the beginning of the Islamic calendar month, better known as Dhu’l-Hijjah.

As a result of this, Eid al-Adha often falls on different days around the world - depending on your location and region.

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced on Friday it would celebrate the festival on the September 12 2016.

In Asia, however, Greater Eid will be marked on September 13.

On the commencing morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims will attend morning prayers at local mosques – often embarking on a different route back home, as this is following the example of the Prophet Muhammad.

Some Muslims also pray as part of community-led events in public places, such as parks - here are the events taking place around the UK for your family to get involved.

As it's a celebratory festival, men and women will also dress up for the occasion, often wearing new outfits, or their best clothes.

It's tradition to gift and be gifted new clothes during Eid al-Adha, families and friends will also gather together to exchange gifts, money and eat traditional food.

Sacrifice is also part of the tradition - in some countries, Muslim families buy, keep and slaughter their own animal, anyone the UK wishing to sacrifice an animal has to do so humanely. Islamic rules also state that the animal must be an adult and in good health.

The Qurbani (sacrificial) meat is then divided into three equal parts – one for the household, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor - a meal will then be prepared with this sacrifice. The meat can go to anyone, even if they’re not Muslim themselves.

Aside from curries and traditional dishes, cakes, biscuits and desserts such as Turkish baklava and Indian rice pudding will also feature in the indulgent feast.

Eid is a unique occasion and one of the things which makes it so is the Eid al-Adha congregational prayer on the morning of the opening day.

A priest or Imam will be present, and as a guideline, worshippers should follow the Imam in prayer and mark his actions accordingly.

If you are looking for ideas on how to celebrate Eid 2016, we've put together a handy guide for getting involved in events across the UK to mark the annual Muslim festival.</s>RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi district police have chalked out a comprehensive security plan chalked out for peaceful observance of Eid-ul-Azha.

Over 3000 policemen will be deployed to guard some 672 mosques, 58 Imambargahs and 59 open Eid congregations in the district during Eid prayers.

Elite Force, Mohafiz Squad and Special Branch personnel along with ladies police and police national volunteers will also perform duties during Eid days.

Strict action in accordance with the law will be taken against one-wheelers while security arrangements have also been made for all public parks.

Under the security plan devised on the instructions of City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi, policemen will also patrol in various sectors and police officers of respective circles will ensure proper security at the Eid congregations to be held at various locations of the district.

Walk-through gates and scanners will also be installed at main Eid congregations for the safety of the citizens.

Special directives have been passed on to all the officers concerned for the effective security measures. Special pickets have already been set up at all entry and exit points of the city where over 250 cops and officers are performing security duty.

All superintendents of police (SPs) have been directed to himself supervise security arrangements in their respective areas. Special security arrangements have also been made for Murree.</s>NEW YORK: American-Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Azha on Monday as they offered prayers and exchanged greetings on the occasion that underlines the message of sacrifice, mutual care, patience and generosity.

Pakistani-Americans living in the New York region joined their fellow Muslims in celebrating the festive occasion.

In a special message to mark the occasion, United Nations Secretary-General said, “Eid al-Adha is a celebration of sacrifice for the common good, family and community, and compassion and solidarity with the least amongst us.

“At a time when societies face complex challenges — violent conflict, displacement, division â€“ let us draw on our common humanity to build a better world for all. I wish all Muslims around the world a blessed and peaceful Eid.”

In their sermons, the Imams and Khateeb prayed for peace in conflict-torn Islamic countries and urged the need to foster values of brotherhood, love and peaceful coexistence.

They also prayed for unity in the Muslim world to confront the many challenges it faces.

In the New York region with the largest concentration of Muslims in the United States, prayers were offered at a number of places, with the main gathering at Manhattan Islamic Centre where diplomats accredited to the United Nations and the city government were among those who participated. —Agencies</s>Sept 12 (Reuters) - Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Adha holiday on Monday, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar.

Marking the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God's command, Muslims mark the holiday by slaughtering animals such as sheep and goats. The meat is shared among family and friends and also donated to the poor.

Faithful across continents marked the festival which comes as the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia draws to a close.

In Iraq, authorities adopted tough security measures during the festival, searching worshippers as they entered Abdul-Qadir al-Gilani mosque in Baghdad.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prayed at a mosque in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, which was evacuated by rebels and surrendered to government control last month, state media reported.

In Asia, tens of thousands of people left Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on crowded trains and ferries for their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, while in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, Muslims attended morning prayers.

The festival was also celebrated across Africa, with the faithful in countries such as Somalia and Kenya attending mass prayers.

In Russia, thousands of Muslims gathered for prayers in Moscow while in Britain, Prime Minister Theresa May released a video message to the country's Muslim community.

"I am proud of the contribution British Muslims make to this country and proud that Britain is home to people from vibrant and diverse backgrounds," she said. (Reporting by Reuters Television; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
Two attackers of Eid al-Adha prayers in an Imambargah at Shikapur district, Sindh, injure at least ten people including five policemen. One assailant blew himself up and authorities arrested the other one.