Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: The historic Jamia Masjid of Srinagar was today opened after remaining closed for 5 months amid strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to arrest the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Scores of people were seen thronging the Central mosque to offer prayers keeping in consideration the guidelines that have been issued by the authorities from time to time.
Almost everyone was seen wearing masks while entering the mosque, those who were not wearing masks were given one free of cost. The facility was made available by the Jamia Auqaf.
Inside the mosque, proper arrangements for the maintenance of social distance were made. People were seen praying while keeping the required social distance. The sanitizers were also kept for the devotees thronging the masjid.
Scores of men and women offered afternoon prayers, the first such congregation since March when the COVID-19 infection had taken a shape of the pandemic.
As a means of awareness, several posters stating the need for following the guidelines and how to do were also pasted at several places inside the mosque.
The people at the Masjid were jubilant and said that they cannot believe their eyes that they are finally able to pray at the masjid. “Though it is a different experience, we are happy that we can pray here again,” a devotee said.
The members of the Auqaf said that while they too are happy that the masjid has opened after the gap of at least 5 months since March. “We are making sure that people who enter Masjid properly follow the SOPs”, they added.
It was also said that congregational Friday prayers will also be held with strict adherence to the guidelines.
In Central Kashmir’s Budgam district also, two important religious places: Chrar-e-Shareef and Pakherpora were thrown open for prayers today.
The district authorities have directed the management of these religious places to make sure that there is strict adherence of the SOPs at these two places.
Regarding markets, the shopkeepers in the city centre Lal Chowk had early in the morning opened all their business establishments, however, the police later swung into the action and made them close half of the establishments.
Several shopkeepers, as well as the operators of public transport, were also challenged for violations during the day. Shopkeepers were challaned at Khanyar as well as in Rainawari, while the police were seen making sure that the SOPs are followed in the public transport-during which several were penalized.
Meanwhile, the Traders Association Lal Chowk today issued a roaster stating which shops shall open on what days and during what timing.
It stated that bookshops, stationery, chemist shops, grocery, fruits, vegetable, milk, meat/poultry, repair workshops, e-commerce, and Courier, Hotels-delivery/ take-away, bakery and other essentials shall remain open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Shops of readymade garments, those dealing with cloth, cosmetics, footwear, electronics & electric market, jewellery, tailors/ designers boutique shall remain operational Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Further, it said, shops of handicrafts, handloom, hardware, building material, furniture, furnishing, automobiles, service station, saloons/ beauty parlours, barbers and all other sectors shall remain open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Meanwhile, in Langate and Qalamabad also, the administration today ordered that the shops in the areas will remain open in odd-even dates only.
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