Shab-e-Baraat, the revered night of fortune will be observed with religious fervor across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night.
Thousands of devotees are expected to offer night-longprayers, to seek Allah’s blessings and forgiveness. The holy night is observedby Muslim communities during the intervening night of 14 and 15 Sha’ban— theeight month of Islamic calendar.
The night long prayers are scheduled to be held in masjidsand shrines across J&K where religious scholars will deliver sermonshighlighting teachings of Islam. On theoccasion, houses and religious places are decorated.
In Kashmir, the night long prayers are scheduled to beoffered at Hazratbal shrine where sermons over importance of the holy night,would be delivered at 10:30 pm.
Prayers are also scheduled to be offered at Chrar-e-Sharif,Khankahi Moula and other major shrines across the valley.
“We have made all arrangements at every shrine,” said GRSufi, Vice Chairman of State Wakf Board.
Large number of people are expected to visit historic JamiaMasjid Srinagar for night long prayers.
Anjuman-e-Auqaaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has announced thatShab-e-Baraat will be observed with great religious reverence at the historicJamia Masjid in Downtown on Saturday.
“The congregational Isha prayers will be offered at 9:30 pmand soon after the prayers, as per the tradition Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will shedlight on philosophy and importance of the night of blessings ( Shab-e-Baraat),”said spokesperson of the Anjuman-e-Auqaaf.
He added that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will also lead specialtouba-e-ishtifaar prayers ( special prayers for repentance).
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference PresidentDr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday extended warm greeting to the people on theobservance of Shab-e-Baraat.
Abdullah while greeting the people said “It is the night ofworship and salvation. We should not be negligent on this occasion because onthis occasion Allah almighty determines the destiny of all people. The nightshould be spent worshiping Almighty from the depth of hearth; it is the time ofdirect connection with Allah, most compassionate, ever merciful, most of all itis the time for reforming one’s life to come,” adding, “I urge the people topray for everlasting peace for the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the world atlarge.”
Meanwhile, Abdullah offered Friday congregational prayers atDargah Hazratbal. He had earlier paid obeisance at the shrine of Sheikh Noor udDin Wali Reshi (RA), Charar e Sharief.
NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar urged the divisional administration to ensure alleffective and basic amenities to devotees on the auspicious night. He impressedupon the divisional administration to ensure all facilities to devotees atAsaar e Sharief Hazratbal, Buka e Aliya Sultan- Ul- Arifeen Sheikh HamzaMaqdoomi (RA), Ziyarat Datagir Sahib (RA), Ziyarat Naqshband Sahib, ZiyaratKalashpora, Ziyarat Sheikh Nur Ud Din Noorani (RA), Jamia Masjid Srinagar,Khanqa- e- Muala and other prominent shrines across Kashmir.
Meanwhile senior party leaders Dr. Sheikh Mustufa Kamal,provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani and provincial spokesperson Imran NabiDar have also extended greeting to the people on the observance ofShab-e-Baraat.