Srinagar: Mehraj-un-Nabi was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the Kashmir valley, where barring shrines being managed by Wakf board, night-long prayers were held in mosques and other worship places.
The decision of the Wakf board banning any night-prayers in view of the COVID-19 pandemic has evoked sharp reaction by devotees who alleged that election to District Development Council (DDC) chairman were held and politicians were being hold to workers and other meetings and large number of people were allowed to attend Friday prayers in shrine Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) Lt Governor (LG) Manoj Singh, former chief ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Apni Party (AP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other politicians have greeted people on the occasion.
Authorities have made all necessary arrangements, including security, medical, transport and water for the devotees in the valley.
The main congregation was held at Aasar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad on the bank of Dal Lake.
Braving rain and chilly winds due to fresh snowfall on upper reaches, thousands of devotees throng Hazratbal shrine to offer Friday prayers. However, no night prayers were allowed in the shrine by the Wakf board in view of the pandemic.
Interestingly the wakf board ‘Deedar”, glimpse of Holy Relic after every prayers from “Fajr” (morning) till “Ishaa (night).
Large number of devotees, including women and children, had the glimpse of Holy Relic this morning despite rain and chilly weather conditions.
Thousands of people, from different parts of the valley, later joined Friday prayers in pouring rain. Devotees had Deedar of the Holy Relic. The process will continue after every prayers today and tomorrow also.
The traffic department had announced one-way traffic from different parts of the valley to shrine for today.
However, in local mosques and holy worship places prayers throughout the night. Majority people prayed in their homes.
Reports of Mehraj-un-Nabi celebrations were received from other parts of the valley.
LG Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings to people of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Shab-i-Miraj.
In his message of felicitations, the Lt Governor hoped that the auspicious occasion would spread the message of peace and promote the spirit of brotherhood, harmony, and amity among people of all faiths.
He prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, Awami Action Committee (AAC) had cancelled the decades old tradition of “ Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh” at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi due to continued detention of Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who is also chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC).
The AAC, also headed by the Mirwaiz, said “ Due to the continued house detention of .@MirwaizKashmir, the decades old tradition of Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh scheduled tomorrow at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi (SAW) stands cancelled”.
The Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mufti Muhammad Farid-ud-Din Showkat Beigh had said that it has been decided not to observe night long prayers at any shrine falling under the domain of Wakf Board in view of pandemic.
