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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shahnawaz Hussain and his family to wish them on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of 'Ramadan', a month long religious fast observed by Muslims. Singh was seen greeting Hussain's family and interacting with other leaders such as Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at Hussain’s residence in the capital. The end of the holy month of Ramadan was declared with the sighting of moon across India on Sunday. In Ayodhya, Muslims offered Eid prayers and exchanged greetings. "The people of the country should take a lesson from residents here and live in harmony and camaraderie and maintain communal amity," said Maulana Noor Umda. Muslims believe Eid is not only just a time of spiritual devotion and verbal expressions of love and brotherhood but is also a time of religious unity when people from all religions and nationalities come together to share greetings. During Ramadan, Muslims observe fast during daylight hours. Fasting has a very important place in Islam and has been made one of the fundamental tenets. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, honours the revelation of the 'Holy Koran' to Prophet Muhammad and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour. It is considered the best exercise for self-restraint.

PM greets BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Eid