No night long congregational prayers will be held on Shab-e-Meraj at Hazratbal and other shrines and masjids this year due to pandemic, Muslim Wakf Board announced on Sunday.
This year, Shab-e-Meraj falls on 11 March. On this holy occasion, thousands of devotees assemble at Hazratbal Dargah to offer night long prayers.
“The decision not to observe night long prayers at any shrine falling under the domain of Wakf Board was taken after thorough deliberations,” Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer Mufti Muhammad Farid-ud-Din Showkat Beigh told Greater Kashmir.
“The deliberations were going on from several days on the matter with all stakeholders and Islamic scholars. Now, the consensus was made on the point that in view of pandemic no night prayers will be held on 11 March this year,” he added.
He, however, added that the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be displayed after every prayer for the devotees on March 12 and March 13 at Hazratbal Shrine.
“The holy relic will also be displayed on March 19 which shall be observed as Friday following of Shab-e-Meraj,” he said.
He appealed devotees to follow COVID19 safety guidelines while paying obeisance at any shrine or mosque.
The religious places were reopened on 16 August, 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir after remaining closed for consecutive five months to contain coronavirus.
The reopening of religious was subject to certain conditions wherein managements and devotees were asked to follow COVID19 protocol in letter and spirit.
Asking the devotees to follow the SOPs strictly, the government has made use of Aarogya Setu app by the visitors to religious places mandatory.