Thousands of devotees from across the Kashmir thronged Hazratbal Shrine here and offered night long prayers to observe Shab-e-Meraj.
Vehicles from State Road Transport Corporation ferrieddevotees to and fro the shrine, especially from far-flung areas of Kashmir.Residents from Hazratbal and other areas were also seen offering tea andeatables among devotees. Some of the religious and social organizations hadalso erected make shift tents to serve Kewha to devotees.
Various civil and police officials were personally campingat shrine where authorities had set up control room to redress grievance orcomplaint of devotees, if any. The Shrine, situated on the banks of Dal Lake,was decorated.
On Thursday the holy relic will be displayed after everyprayer at the shrine – the major reason devotees throng shrine to have glimpseof it. Traffic police here has already issued route plan for Hazratbal boundpassengers to avoid traffic chaos. The route plan will remain in effect forThursday and Friday.
“All arrangements were put in place for devotees,”said Peer Masood, administrator Hazratbal shrine.
Night long prayers were also held at Jenab Sahib Soura,Asar-i-Sharief Shehri Kalashpora, Ka’aba Marg, Asar-i-Sharief, Baramulla, AhamSharief, Bandipora and other places.
Religious scholars in their sermons highlighted theimportance of the night and its blessings. They also highlighted teachings andvarious aspects of life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The night long prayers were also held in various Masjids andshrines across the Kashmir with most of them reverberating with holy Quranicverses with sunset.
Various political and social leaders have greeted people onShab-e-Meraj. In his message of felicitations the Governor Satya Pal Malikexpressed hope that the celebration of this auspicious occasion would furtherstrengthen the bonds of amity, harmony and brotherhood among all communitiesand be a harbinger of peace and prosperity in the state.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and vice presidentOmar Abdullah extended warm greeting to the people on the observance ofShab-e-Meraj. While praying for peace and prosperity of the state they urgedadministration to ensure all effective and basic amenities to the people on theauspicious eve of Mehraj Ul Alam.
President Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Muftifelicitated people on auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Meraj and urged them toimbibe teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for making the world a better placeto live in.
In her greeting message, Mehbooba highlighted need forspreading the message of the Holy Prophet (SAW) which promotes love, affection,kindness and mutual respect among humankind. She described Shab-e-Meraj as thegreatest miracle in the human history when Almighty Allah took His most belovedProphet (SAW) on journey to the Heavens and shared with Him the secrets of theuniverse.
Advisor to the Governor Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, alsofelicitated people on the eve of Shab-i-Meraj, describing the auspicious day asan occasion for seeking Allah’s blessings and forgiveness.
In a message, Ganai, who is also chairman J&K WakafBoard, expressed hope that people of the state will maintain tradition ofmutual brotherhood and prayed that the auspicious occasion will bring peace andprosperity to the state.
The National Conference general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagarurged administration to ensure all facilities to the devotees at all theshrines of Kashmir. Among others NC leader Sheikh Mustufa Kamal, Nasir AslamWani also greeted people and prayed for peace and prosperity.