Eid prayers at Jamia, Eidgah not allowed
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 1: Shawwal moon was not sighted anywhere in Kashmir today so Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on May 3.
The moon was not sighted anywhere in the region so the Ramadan will continue tomorrow. The Eid will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 3.
Authorities today, in the meantime, said that holding Eid prayers at historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar was “not possible under present circumstances”.
Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid expressed dismay over imposing of conditions by the authorities including undertaking for peaceful conduct of Eid prayers. Authorities said that it was “difficult to have peaceful conduct of Eid prayers at Jamia” as managing body of the grand mosque declined to propone prayers and hold same at 7 am.
“Anjum-e-Auqaaf Jamia Srinagar has failed to reach any consensus among its members on request of administration to schedule the prayers at 7 am on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr to handle the situation efficiently in case of any law and order problems and to ensure public safety and security,” a senior police official said. “There are many reliable inputs of disruption and clashes in Jamia Masjid after namaz is over which forced administration to request Jamia authorities for preponing of prayers at 7 am.”
He said the civil and police administration had met the Jamia committee requesting them to reschedule the timing which would have “enabled the law enforcement agencies to take care of safety and security of all people coming for Eid prayers more effectively.”
“The Intezamia committee was urged to take a decision at their own level regarding prayer timing. However, it has been learnt through social media and other reliable sources that committee could not draw concordance among its members regarding proposed timing of the Eid prayers,” he said, adding, “further, the committee also refused to give any assurance/undertaking for peaceful conduct of Eid prayers by having enough volunteers in and around Jamia campus.”
Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid had announced that Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah grounds at 9.30 am. In case of inclement weather, the prayers were planned at Jamia Masjid as per past practice.
The Jamia Masjid has been opened post COVID pandemic for regular prayers which are being held smoothly, he said. However, given the “tumultuous past of violent incidents” during major congregation prayers in Jamia, he said, law enforcement agencies fear threat to human life/devotees/ property. He said that controlling the “violent situation” many a times results in collateral damage to innocent lives.
He said that taking care of public safety and security was utmost priority of police and civil administration. “The lack of cooperation from the Management committee of Jamia puts lives of people at risk”, the official said.
Consequently, it will be difficult to have peaceful conduct of Eid prayers at Jamia,” he said, adding, “As such holding prayers is not possible under present circumstances. General public is requested to leverage the option of offering Eid prayers in local mosques/shrines/designated places with full fervour and enthusiasm.”
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