Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 2: Jumat-ul-Vida – the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan- was observed across Kashmir with religious fervor and devotion today.
Thousands of people thronged the Masjids to offer congregational prayers across Kashmir.
The largest congregation was held at Hazratbal shrine where thousands of people offered Jumat-ul-Vida prayers followed by centrally located historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.
A large number of people also offered prayers at Dastgeer Saheb Khanyar, Maqdhoom Saheb, Asar-e-Sharief Kailashpora, Jenab Saheb Soura, and Dastgeer Saheb Sarai Payeen.
Reports from other districts said that thousands of people offered prayers in Masjids at all the major towns.
From early morning thousands of devotees’-bound vehicles could be seen on their way to Dargah Hazratbal and other major religious places.
Religious clerks on the occasion delivered the Friday sermon, throwing light on the importance of the Holy month of Ramadhan.
The Jumatul Vida is the last Friday of Ramadhan and is celebrated across the Muslim world. The last Friday of the holy month was also celebreated across the Jammu region.
Meanwhile, the Jumat-ul-Vida was also observed as Yoom-e-Qudus in the state and a demonstration was held against Isreali occupation of Palestine in Press Colony Lal Chowk.
Clashes erupted between police and protesters in Nowhatta area of old city and Baramulla town here after Friday prayers in which six persons were injured.
Scores of people took to streets at Nowhatta after the prayers but the Police and CRPF men deployed in the area fired teargas canisters and used batons to disperse the protesting people. The youth responded and started pelting stones.
Five persons were injured as police fired pellets. The injured have been identified as Peer Showkat, son of Ghulam Rasool, resident of Kawanpora Nowhatta, Shamima, wife of Fida Hussain, resident of Alamgari Bazaar, Syed Mehboob, son of Syed Hussain, resident of Kalaighar Nowhatta and Sameer Ahmad, son of Gulzar Ahmad Khan, resident of Hawal. All the injured were immediately rushed to SMHS for treatment.
Clashes were also reported from M R Gung, Saraf Kadal and Kawdara.
A police spokesman said that Police exercised maximum restraint and chased away the stone-pelters.
Stone pelting at police was also reported from Baramulla town.