Srinagar, July 10: Amid strict curfew in many parts of the Valley, Shab-e-Me’raj was observed across the valley with religious fervour and gaiety on Friday night.
 After few hours’ relaxation by the government at certain places on Friday evening, large number of devotees thronged mosques and shrines to offer special prayers.
 However, thousands of people across the valley who used to observe Shab-e-Me’raj at Asar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, failed to reach to the shrine due to curfew imposed by the government and non-availability of public transport.
 Usually on this occasion, thousands of faithful from the valley gather at Hazratbal to offer nightlong prayers with Ulema’s throwing light on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).  
 The significance of this night is that Prophet (SAW) went on a heavenly journey to meet Allah. “Due to curfew, everything was scuttled as we could not move out from houses. On such occasions, roads, houses and Masjids used to glitter with decorations. But restrictions stopped us from going to Hazratbal,” said an inmate of Old City Fayaz Ahmad who used to visit the shrine during the Shab-e-Me’raj.
 Hazratbal witnessed thin attendance and there was no hustle and bustle.
 “There was no arrangement of public transport for the devotees as had been the precedence,” the devotees told Greater Kashmir adding the government by imposing curfew on the auspicious day interfered into the religious affairs of the people.
 The curfew not only hindered the movement of devotees, but affected the business of several hundred retailers and vendors as well. “Shab-e-Me’raj draws huge rush to Dargah every year. But, this time, the attendance was far less and the vendors suffered huge loses,” said a vender, Javed Ahmad of Batamaloo.
 However according to an official communiqué, “thousands of people” offered Isha prayers at several shrines, Masjids and Khanqahs across the city on the occasion.
 “Large gatherings” of devotees were seen at Asar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, Jenab Sahib Soura and Asar-i-Sharief Shehri Kalashpora. At Asar-i-Sharief Hazratbal, the Isha prayer was offered at 10.30 PM. Soon after the Isha prayers devotees busied themselves in Darood-u-Azkar and speakers threw light on the philosophy of Shab-e-Me’raj.
 The Government had eased the curfew restrictions to facilitate free movement of people on this auspicious occasion, the communiqué added.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST