Srinagar, May 31 (KNS): Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan, was observed across Jammu and Kashmir with reverence, devotion and religious fervor.
Lakhs of people joined prayers in mosques, Khankahs, shrines and other holy places throughout the Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh region on the occasion of ‘Jamut-ul-Vida.
The divisional authorities had made all arrangements, including transport and security, for the devotees on the occasion.
According to KNS correspondents, the largest congregation of devotees was witnessed at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar where thousands of people joined the prayers.
The second biggest gathering was seen at Dargah Hazratbal where several top government officials joined the congregational prayers.
At Jamia Masjid, the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq delivered the Friday sermon, throwing light on the importance of Jumat-ul-Vida.
He also spoke in detail about the significance of the ongoing holy month of Ramadhan and urged Muslims to seek forgiveness and blessings from Almighty Allah.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching. Let’s not forget to help poor and downtrodden. Let’s make it easier for them to celebrate Eid,” he said.
At Hazratbal shrine, thousands of devotees joined the congregational Friday prayers. The J&K Wakf Board, which controls the shrine management, had made arrangements for the devotees who were seen thronging the religious place since early Friday morning.
“We had made additional deployment of cops on roads for smooth flow of traffic on Jumat-ul-Vida. Some local volunteers also assisted us at Jamia Masjid in regulation of vehicular movement. It was cooperation from people that traffic plied smoothly throughout the day,” Traffic police told KNS.
The congregational prayers were also held at all mosques and shrines in Srinagar including Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahlehadith, Gawkadal; Asar-e-Sharif, Janab Sahib Soura; Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora; Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib, Khanqah-e-Mualla, and different Imambaras.
In south Kashmir, people in large numbers offered Jumat-ul-Vida congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahlihadith, Bait-ul-Muqaram and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Islamabad (Anantnag) town. Congregational prayers were also offered in Ziarat-e-Sharief Khiram Kabamarg; Kund, Aishmuqam and Bijbehara areas of the district.
In Kulgam, the biggest prayer gathering was seen in Jamia Masjid. Large congregational prayer gathering was also witnessed in Khankah Tral, Jamia Masjid Shopian and Jamia Masjid Pulwama.
Thousands of Muslims also offered Jumat-ul-Vida prayers in all other districts of the state.
Meanwhile, Jumat-ul-Vida was also observed as Yoom-e-Kashmir in the state.
Special prayers were offered for freedom of Kashmir and Palestine.
Reports of observance of Jumat-ul-Vida were also received from Jammu and Leh.
It is to mention here that Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani had appealed people to observe the last Friday of Ramadan as “Palestine and Kashmir Day”. (KNS)