Farooq stopped from offering prayers: NC
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 30: Eid-e-Milad was today observed with religious fervour across Kashmir Valley with one of the largest congregation on the day being held at Dargah Hazratbal.
Small gatherings were also held all across the Valley, but thousands offered congregational prayers at Hazratbal where the holy relic of the Prophet (SAW) was also displayed after every prayer of the day.
People including elderly as well as children from across the Valley had thronged Dargah on the day which is celebrated as the day of birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Notably, National Conference chairman Dr Farooq Abdullah, as per the party, was not allowed to offer congregational prayers at Dargah Hazratbal.
“J&K administration had blocked the residence of Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah and stopped him from offering prayers at Dargah Hazratbal. JKNC condemns this infringement of fundamental right to pray, especially on the auspicious occasion of Eid-Milad Un Nabi SAW,” the party said.
The faithful were happy and joyous and prayed for the peace and prosperity of J&K. They also expressed satisfaction over the arrangements that were put in place by the District Administration.
Emotional scenes were witnessed when the Holy relic of the Prophet (SAW) was displayed from the minaret of Dargah Hazratbal. Those who attended the congregational prayers adhered to the SOPs issued in the wake of COVID-19.
“We are happy that since the outbreak of COVID-19, we are finally able to attend such a big congregation. We maintained social distancing and made use of masks,” said Abdul Rahim a resident of Budgam.
However, several others said that there were mediocre arrangements made by the administration this time. They rue the absence of adequate transport facility on the day.
The management of Dargah Hazratbal said that they had strict directions from the administration to make sure that the SOPs are followed and there is no breach in the protocol.
The District Administration Srinagar said that transport facilities with around 200 buses including a fleet of 20 buses of SRTC and an equal number of sumos were put in place.
“Proper parking facilities for the public as well as private vehicles in the University campus in addition to a basic medical camp and ambulances, infrared thermometers were put in place on all the 10 entrance gates,” Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal told Excelsior.
He also said that in addition to this camp with COVID-19 RAT Camp was also setup. “Masks were distributed to the devotees. The entire premise of the shrine was fumigated twice after Isha and before Fajr prayers every day for the last three days,” he said.
He also said that Friday prayers were offered in the open with proper social distancing in between the prayer mats given the COVID-19 protocols.
On the other side of it, scores of processions were taken out from various localities of the Valley on the eve of Eid-e-Milad. Elders as well as children from these localities took out the processions and raised slogans describing the glory of the Prophet (SAW).
“This is a small gathering in comparison to what it used to be. We have kept in mind the SOPs in the wake of COVID-19 and that’s why carried out a smaller procession,” said Rafiq Ahmad who was a part of
a Milad procession that was carried out in Srinagar.
The participants of Milad processions also raised slogans against the creators of the blasphemous sketches in France and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, few protests were also witnessed in Srinagar against these blasphemous sketches. The traders in Batamaloo protested against the move which they said has hurt religious sentiments of millions of Muslims across the globe.
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