JandK celebrates Eid I Milad with fervour

Eid-I-Milad, the birthday of the revered Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was today observed with religious fervour across places Kashmir valley.

Despite the cold weather, devotees from across the Valley thronged Aasar-e-Sharif Hazratbal, housing holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and joined the congregational prayers throughout the day.  The holy relic was displayed after all five prayers amidst recitation of Daroods and Naats, and the practice would continue tomorrow also.

A large gathering of men and women offered nightlong prayers at Hazratbal while many more joined them during the early morning prayers, Fajar.

The traffic department had made arrangements for smooth arrival of devotees at Hazratbal. Apart from the private and public transport, the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) had made special arrangements for devotees. Around 90 of its buses were deployed for ferrying devotees to shrine.

Elsewhere in the summer capital, congregational prayers were held throughout the day.The important places included Jenab Sahib Soura, Asar-i-Sharif Shahri Kalashpora, Lal Bazar, Khanqah-i-Maulla, Ziarat Hazrat Dastgeer Sahib (RA), Syed Yaqoob Sahab (RA) Sonwar, Khawaja Naqashband Sahab and Ziarat Makhdoom Sahib (RA).The clerics highlighted the importance of the day in Islam and urged the Muslims to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

South Kashmir

Seeking blessings from Almighty on the day, a large gathering of people offered prayers at Masjids and shrines in Anantnag. The rush of devotees was seen mostly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan.

Apart from Masjids and shrines, people had also decorated the marketplaces in the main town Ananatnag.

Prayers were held throughout the day at Ziayarat of Hazrat Syed Husain Simnani (RA), Asar-i-Sharif Pinjura in Shopian district, and Charar-e-Sharief, Budgam.

North Kashmir

Hundreds of people offered night and daylong prayers in different Masjids and shrines across north Kashmir. Biggest congregation was held at Dargah-i-Aaliya at Khawaja Sahib Mohalla here.

Prayers were held at Jamia Masjid, Ganderbal, Bandipore, Sopur, Kupwara, Handwara and other places. People took out processions reciting Naats and Manqabats after prayers.

In the morning, Milad procession was staged from shrine Janbaz Wali at Khanpora to Asar-e-Sahrief Baramulla. Thousands of people participated in the procession.

Geelani calls for strike on Feb 7

Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today called for strike on protest on February 3 and valley wide shutdown on February 7 against the shifting of detainees to jails outside.

“The shifting of the detainees is a practice is pure vengeance and it is done just to harass the people of Kashmir. We cannot sit silent, therefore, strike shall be held on February 7 and before that the protest shall be staged on February 3,” Geelani said in a statement.

Lashing out at the authorities for the move, he said it is violation of the Supreme Court norms.“According to the Supreme Court ruling the prisoners are to be kept in the jails closest to their residence so that they could meet their kin. But here the rules are violated to harass people,” he said.The separatist leader said the strike was postponed to allow people participate in the Eid-i-Milad celebrations.