Srinagar, Apr 5: Kashmir witnessed a surge of religious fervour as people across the Valley observed Jumat-ul-Vida, marking the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan.
Masjids and shrines across Kashmir reverberated with Friday sermons as thousands across Kashmir observed the Jumat-ul-Vida.
The day is observed to mark the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan every year.
On this day, people bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadan.
People were seen busy participating in religious activities, indulging in charity work, and spending time in repentance and prayers.
The biggest congregation was held at Hazratbal shrine here on the banks of Dal Lake where thousands of people joined Friday congregational prayers and also listened to the sermons on the teachings of Islam.
On the occasion, the J&K Waqf Board and other departments had made special arrangements for the devotees across Masjids and shrines.
J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi reviewed the arrangements at Hazratbal shrine and other religious places in Srinagar.
“We will ensure that the devotees have all necessary facilities on such occasions. We have upgraded various infrastructures in Hazratbal and other religious places and all the arrangements are up to the mark. I am also happy to say that we bought new matting for the Hazratbal shrine on our own. Earlier, it was done through other departments,” Andrabi said.
Meanwhile, markets around Hazratbal and other religious places were full of shoppers ahead of Eid.
Devotees indulged in shopping for essentials after Friday prayers at Hazratbal and other places.
Vendors had installed stalls selling snacks, bakery items, garments, and other items.
“We came to offer Friday prayers and seek the blessing of Allah on the occasion. Every year, there is a huge rush, and we also spend some time buying Eid-related essentials,” Farooq Ahmad, a devotee from Ganderbal district said.
The authorities said that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), J&K Road Transport Corporation (J&K RTC), Police, Power Development Department (PDD), and the district administration had made special arrangements for the Jumat-ul-Vida prayers.
SSP Traffic City, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that there was an exceptional influx of vehicles on Hazratbal roads and at other religious places in Srinagar.
“We put all the available men and machinery on the ground to regulate the traffic. Since there are ongoing developmental projects in Srinagar including downtown, it was challenging to manage the traffic. However, we had done our preparations and tried our best to ensure that devotees commuting won’t face any issues,” Shah said.
Congregational Friday prayers were also held at all Masjids and shrines in Srinagar including Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith Gaw Kadal; Asar-e-Sharif Jenab Sahab Soura; Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora; Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahab, Khanqah-e-Maula, and other Masjids and shrines.
In south Kashmir, congregational Friday prayers were held at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahli Hadith, Bait-ul-Mukarram, and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Anantnag.
Meanwhile, Jumat-ul-Vida prayers were not allowed at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, in a video message, said, “It is extremely sad and unfortunate that the authorities forcibly locked the gates of Jamia Masjid, not allowing this great religious congregation to take place.”