Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 27: The 27th night of Ramadan, known as Shab-e-Qadr or Laylatul Qadr, is being observed across Kashmir tonight with religious fervour, devotion, and respect. However, authorities shut down Jama Masjid Srinagar where normally thousands of people used to take part in night long prayers on the occasion.
Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power and Blessing, falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan. The night, considered better than a thousand months, holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims and worship on this night is believed to be more rewarding than a lifetime of devotion.
Mosques and shrines across Kashmir echoed with the recitation of the Quran and special prayers as thousands of devotees gathered for nightlong worship. The largest congregation is being held at the Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, where devotees are engaged in Quran recitation, Naat Khawani, and Azkaar. Religious scholars are delivering sermons on the significance of the night and other acts of worship in Ramadan.
Congregational prayers are also being held at major religious sites across Srinagar, including Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahlehadith Gaw Kadal, Asar-e-Sharif Janab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora, Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahab and Khanqah-e-Moula. In south Kashmir, prayers are being offered at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahli Hadith, Bait-ul-Muqarram, and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Anantnag, along with Ziarat-e-Sharief Khiram, Kund, Aishmuqam, and Bijbehara.
On this sacred occasion, worshippers are praying for divine mercy, forgiveness, and the well-being of the region and the nation. Special arrangements have been made in mosques to accommodate devotees.
Authorities have taken measures to ensure smooth proceedings, with district administrations coordinating efforts with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), J&K Road Transport Corporation (J&K RTC), Police, and the Power Development Department (PDD). The Traffic Police has deployed personnel and machinery to regulate movement near religious sites.
Shab-e-Qadr holds special significance in Islam as it marks the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
However, no prayers are being allowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar by the authorities and Mirwiaz Omar Farooq has condemned it.
“Conveyed to Auqaf by authorities, that on the highly revered night of LailaTul Qadr when Muslims around the world supplicate and seek Allah’s forgiveness throughout the holy and blessed night, central #JamaMasjid Srinagar will be closed to the people and no shab or prayers will be allowed there. It is extremely regrettable and condemnable that the insensitivity of those in power will deprive tens of thousands of Muslims who for generations visit Jama Masjid on this night, of spiritual solace and worship, causing them and me great grief and dismay,” Mirwiaz wrote on X.
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