Srinagar,: Tens of thousands of devotees from across the Kashmir Valley converged at the revered Hazratbal shrine here on Friday to celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, the day when Prophet Mohammad (SAW) was born.
Nearly twenty thousand people alone converged at the shrine in the morning and had the glimpses of the holy relics of Prophet (SAW) after Fajr prayers.
The number swelled as the day progressed and a sea of devotees was seen at the shrine and its adjacent sprawling lawns along the banks of Dal Lake especially during Friday and Asr prayers.
Most people were seen folding their hands while some had tears trickling down their faces as they prayed. People also offered ‘Durud’ and recited the Holy Qur’an.
Besides Hazratbal, congregational prayers were also held at Asarisharif Kalashpora, Jenab Sahib Soura, Lal Bazaar, Punjura Shopian, Khiram Sirhama Anantnag, Seer Hamadan, Kaba Marg, Qaimoh, Ahamshrief Bandipora and Hazrat Janbaz Wali (RA) Baramulla. Nightlong prayers were held across the Valley where imams threw light on the pious life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
A festive look prevailed for the past several days as various mosques and shrines in this summer capital of the state and other major towns were decked with lights and buntings. Milad processions were taken out from various parts of the valley. Reports about Milad processions were also received from other districts of the Valley.
Hundreds of private transport vehicles and State Road Transport Corporation buses ferried the devotees to and from Hazratbal while the authorities had enforced different traffic plan to ensure smooth movement.
Authorities and some social organizations had also erected tents for medical aid as well as refreshment for devotees at several places along the streets for the devotees.
Meanwhile, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah today offered Salatul-Jumu’ah at Asar-e-Sharief Dargah Hazratbal in view of the Eid-e-Milad un Nabi (SAW) observance.
The party Vice President joined thousands of other devotees in having a glimpse of the Holy Relic on the occasion. He prayed for lasting peace, prosperity and amity in J&K, Ladakh.
Later in his brief interaction with the local press, he lamented the administration for preponing the Eid e Milad holiday by one day. “It shows how insensitive this LG administration is. Would they prepone the holiday in case of Diwali celebrations this year? The reason why it’s happening in J&K only is because they don’t respect the sentiments of the majority population. Such happenings are very unfortunate, I don’t understand what makes them take such decisions. When our Spokesperson highlighted the issue, the video byte was removed from the individual handles of news portals reportedly under pressure from the government. Rather than correcting their mistakes, they are silencing the voices critical of their insensitivity towards our people,” he said.
