Friday following Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) observed
Jamia Masjid continues to be out of bounds for devotees
Srinagar: Amid restrictions, devotees from adjoining areas visited Hazratbal here to have glimpse of the relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on Friday following Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
Eyewitnesses said that due to prevailing situation people from far flung areas couldn’t visit the shrine and only people from the adjoining areas visited the shrine throughout the day to offer prayers and have glimpse of the holy relic which was displayed after every congregational prayer.
As the holy relic was displayed, the devotees were seen in tears seeking blessings from Allah.
The devotees recited Durud and Quranic verses, witnesses added.
A group of devotees said this time believers were unable to visit the shrine due to the prevailing situation.
Most of the devotees resented the government action allowing only people from adjoining areas.
“It is unfortunate that the government resorted to such restricted movement of people towards this revered shrine. People used to throng Hazratbal shrine on the eve of Milad in lakhs,” said, Syed Anwar, a regular visitor to the shrine.
Meanwhile, Jamia Masjid, the grand mosque of Kashmir in the city’s Nowhatta area, remained locked up for congregational prayers for the 15th consecutive Friday since the Centre announced abrogation of provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5.
The gates of the historic mosque were shut and security forces’ personnel deployed in strength in the area, officials said.
They said there are apprehensions that vested interests might exploit large Friday prayer gatherings at big mosques and shrines to fuel protests in the Valley over the revocation of the erstwhile state’s special status.
Friday prayers have not been allowed at the centuries-old mosque in the city’s downtown area for over three months now.
On Sunday, authorities sealed all routes leading to the shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here to prevent large gatherings and processions on the occasion of Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi.
Before that, the authorities had prohibited the traditional Khojje-Digar prayers at Naqshbandh Sahab shrine in Khawajabazar area of the city.
Meanwhile, markets opened for a few hours early in the morning at most places across the Valley, but shopkeepers downed their shutters around noon to join a protest against the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the officials said.
They said traffic on Friday was lesser as compared to Thursday, even as a few mini-buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws were plying in the city and elsewhere in the Valley.
Board examinations for class 10th and Class 12 are going on as per schedule, they added. (with KNT and PTI inputs)
KV News
