Thousands of devotees visited Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid to offer Jumma-tul-Vida prayers held for the first time since August, 2019. KO Photo, Abid Bhat
Srinagar- Devout Muslims thronged mosques and shrines across Kashmir on the last Friday of Ramazan bidding the holy month a tearful farewell during congregational prayers.
Largest gatherings were witnessed at Srinagar’s Dargah Hazratbal and the historic Jamia Masjid.
Large congregations were also witnessed in Khanqah-e-Maula, Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib and other Waqf Board controlled shrines and different Imambargahs.
Jamia Masjid, Srinagar was jam-packed with devotees who offered congregational Friday prayers at the historic mosque, which remained closed for the prayers last Friday due to government curbs.
The biggest congregation was, however, witnessed at Hazratbal shrines where the devotees from different parts of the Valley participated in the Friday prayers. Prayers were followed by display of the holy relic of the Prophet (pbuh) during which emotional scenes were witnessed all around. Many of the devout, including a large number of women, were seen praying with moist eyes.
The big congregational prayers were also witnessed at several other shrines in different districts, including shrine of Alamdar at Chararisharief, Khiram Sirhama, Kabamarg in Anantnag district, Ahm-e-Sharief in Bandipora district and other mosques as well.
During the special prayers, the religious clerics threw light on the teachings of Islam.
Srinagar Police on Twitter said, ” Jumma-tul-Vida’ prayers went peacefully and smoothly in all the mosques of Srinagar district including in Hazratbal Dargah & in Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta. A huge congregation offered Friday afternoon prayers in all the mosques.”
Last Friday, congregational prayers were disallowed at the Jamia Masjid by the authorities. However, Shab-e-Qadar prayers were allowed at the grand mosque on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid, the managing body of the grand mosque, said thousands of men, women and youngsters offered the Friday prayer at the historic 14th-century mosque.
It, however, said the people were “once again disappointed over the absence of their beloved leader Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq who is under house detention for the last nearly four years”.
A spokesperson of the Auqaf conveyed the Eid-ul-Fitr message of the Mirwaiz to the people and appealed to them to celebrate Eid with simplicity according to Islamic teachings.
“The Auqaf expresses strong resentment against the continuous illegal and arbitrary detention of Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir. The authorities should change their dictatorial attitude and release him before Eid,” he said.
The managing body of the mosque said the Eid prayers would be offered there on Saturday after three years.
The spokesperson said the Eid prayer will be offered at 9 am on Saturday, and urged people to reach the mosque before time and show Islamic unity and discipline on the occasion.
Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, will be celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, after the Shawal Moon was not sighted on Thursday.
The Islamic calendar month is of 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the crescent.
Incessant rainfall over the past few days across the Valley dampened the festive spirit of shoppers ahead of Eid.
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