Holi and Ramzan Overlap Prompts Adjustments and Security Measures Across India
Authorities and communities coordinate to balance Holi celebrations and Friday prayers, emphasizing peace and mutual respect.
- The festival of Holi on March 14 coincides with the second Friday of Ramzan, leading to calls for adjustments to ensure peaceful coexistence.
- Mosques in several cities, including Lucknow, Moradabad, and Haridwar, have deferred Friday prayer timings to accommodate Holi celebrations.
- Authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai have issued strict guidelines, including bans on new traditions, offensive gestures, and unsolicited use of colored water during Holi.
- Security has been heightened in sensitive areas with increased police deployments, quick response teams, and surveillance through CCTV and drones.
- Community leaders and officials have urged mutual respect, with some requesting Muslims to offer prayers at home and others calling for Holi participants to avoid disruptions near mosques.