Devotees throng Hazratbal Shrine for Friday congregational prayers in Kashmir

Hundreds of devotees offered Congregational Friday prayers at Hazratbal shrine on the bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar after authorities lifted the curbs in view of the annual urs being celebrated on October 19.

However, the authorities disallowed Friday congregational prayers at the historic Jamia masjid at Nowhatta in down town Srinagar.

Meanwhile, the authorities did not allow Friday congregational prayers in the historic Jamia Mosque due to some obvious reasons. Earlier the Anuman Auqaf of the Jamia masjid yesterday said that the Friday prayers would be held in the mosque in view of the blessed month of Rabiul-Awal in which Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi (SAW) the birth day of Prophet Muhammad being celebrated.

Some women were seen offering Nimaz near the closed gate of the grand mosque.

The people from all walks of life Men, women and Children were seen moving on foot, in buses and private vehicles to reach the white marble shrine of Hazratbal  housing the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to offer congregational Friday prayers allowed by the authorities after several weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions in place. Markets were also abuzz around the shrine complex including the Kashmiri traditional snack makers were preparing various kinds of “Prantha” and “Pakoras”.

The annual Urs of Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi (SAW) is being celebrated on October 19. The Shab Khawani (night long prayers) are scheduled to take place in the Shrine on the night of October 18.

The Nimaz was offered on time and concluded peacefully following the devotees left the shrine complex on way to their homes.

UNI QAB