No prayers in Jamia, Mirwaiz under house arrest
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 16: Shab-e-Qadr (Lailatul Qadr), the holiest nights in Islam, is being observed tonight with large numbers of people attending night long prayers in Masjids across Kashmir with largest congregation at Hazratbal even as authorities have closed Jamia Masjid for the prayers on the occasion.
The Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar is witnessing the largest congregation of worshippers, as devotees from different parts of the Valley are gathered there to observe the prayers.
Shab-e-Qadr falls on the odd nights of the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan and holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims.
The Holy Quran describes the night as “better than a thousand months,” making worship and prayers on this night highly rewarding.
Besides Hazratbal, large congregations are also expected at several major shrines and Masjids across Kashmir, including Makhdoom Sahib shrine, Khanqah-e-Moula, Asar-e-Sharif Soura and other prominent religious places, where special night-long prayers and religious gatherings will be held.
Religious scholars have also urged people to utilize the blessed night in prayers, repentance and charity, stressing that it is a night of forgiveness and divine mercy.
Authorities have made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the devotees expected to attend the night-long prayers. Traffic police have issued advisories to regulate vehicular movement around Hazratbal and other major shrines, while additional public transport services are likely to be arranged to ferry worshippers.
The arrangements regarding lighting, water supply, sanitation and security have also been put in place to ensure the smooth observance of the sacred night.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Valley’s chief religious cleric said that Jamia Masjid has been closed for the prayers on the occasion.
“On the most sacred night of ‘Laylatul Qadr’, when prayers and supplications resound in mosques seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, the central Jama Masjid Srinagar of Kashmir has once again been closed upon worshippers, and I have been placed under house arrest,” Mirwaiz posted on X.
“Rulers fear prayers in a house of Almighty on such a night speaks volumes about their insecurity and the shrinking of space for religious practices,” he added.
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