Srinagar, Aug 23: With just a few days left for Jumat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr, the state government has not done any arrangements at historic Jamia Masjid here where one of the biggest congregational prayers are held on the days joined by lakhs of people from various parts of the Valley.
The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who also heads the Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid said that Auqaf is making all the arrangements inside the Masjid to ensure that devotees don’t face any problems. “Jamia Masjid remains abuzz with activity during the holy month of Ramadan and the biggest congregations in this month are held in this historic Masjid,” Mirwaiz said. “We never depend on the administration for any sort of help. The Auqaf makes all the arrangements on its own.”
However, the Mirwaiz said that to make arrangements outside the Masjid is the job of the administration. “Unfortunately officials seem to be least bothered when it comes to old city. Till date no official has visited the areas around Jamia Masjid to make any arrangement. They are very well aware of the fact that thousands of people visit Jamia Masjid on these two occasions, but they seem to be in a deep slumber,” he said.
The general perception in the areas around Jamia Masjid is that people have to make arrangements on their own. “We know that Jamat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr are two big occasions and we do make preparations in advance,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Chandpura. “We assign different jobs to our youth to ensure that devotees don’t face any problems.”
“Our area has been the hub of resistance for past many years that is why authorities don’t pay any heed towards it,” said another resident Farooq Ahmed Baba.
Baba said that on the contrary whenever there is any other event or a religious congregation in any other area, government remains on toes to ensure that it is conducted smoothly. “It is sheer discrimination with us,” he said. “For past three Fridays devotees have been caught in major traffic snarls as authorities have not worked out any mechanism to ensure smooth flow of traffic. We are expecting huge rush of people on Jumat-ul-Vida let’s hope government wakes up and make proper arrangements to ensure that people reach here before Friday prayers.”
Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Abdul Majeed Wani, while talking to Greater Kashmir said that there was “nothing to worry.” “We are making the arrangements. Chief Minister’s Advisor Mubarak Gul has called a high level meeting on Wednesday to discuss these,” Wani said. “We will finalize the arrangements after the meeting.”
However, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq ridiculed Wani’s claim, saying, “See the irony, three days are left for Jumat-ul-Vida and till date no meeting has been held to discuss the arrangements. It shows how unconcerned government is. It is sheer political vendetta. It seems the present dispensation is least bothered about the religious sentiments of the people.”
It has been a routine with the successive governments in the state to review arrangements for Jumat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr in view of the massive congregations expected at various shrines and mosques in Srinagar.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST