Srinagar : Shab-e-Baraat was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the Kashmir valley, where people joined night-long prayers in mosques, shrines, Jamia Masjids and other places places. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and other political, religious and separatist leaders have greeted people on the occasion. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said Shab-e-Baraat is a blessed occasion to seek mercy and forgiveness from Allah and appealed to people to pray for granting them compassion, piety and a spirit to work for the poor, downtrodden and desolate. She hoped the holy night of prayers becomes harbinger of peace, prosperity and brotherhood in the State. Lakhs of people, including women and children, joined night-long prayers in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region, where Islamic scholars and Ulmas highlighted the importance of the night. The main congregations were held at Aasar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, on the bank of Dal Lake, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad and historic Jamia Masjid. Thousands of people from different parts of the Kashmir valley joined the night-long prayers at Hazratbal, where authorities had made all arrangements for devotees. Similar congregations were also held at historic Jamia Masjid, Jehab Saheb Soura, Shehree Kailashpora, Asaar Shareif Pinjoora, shrine of Hazrat Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, Mehboob-ul-Aalam, Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, Syed Sahib Sonawar and Hazrat Sheikh Dawood. Night-long prayers were also held in all mosques and other religious places in the valley. People in Leh, Kargil, Drass and other places in Ladakh region also joined Shab-e-Baraat prayers. (Agencies)