Detailed arrangements in place for Friday: Admn
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Mar 11: On the eve of Shab-e-Meraj, no night-long congregational prayers were held across Kashmir amid the COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year with management deciding not to hold any such prayers at Hazratbal which otherwise used to witnesses huge gathering on the occasion.
However, small, scattered late-night congregations were held across various mosques on Thursday night.
The major congregations during the day (Friday) are expected at Dargah Hazratbal, Jenab Sahab Soura, Kalashpora, Jamia Masjid and other mosques and shrines across Kashmir valley.
Earlier, the management of Dargah Hazratbal had decided not to hold any night congregational prayers there due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the same was conveyed to the District Administration Srinagar.
As per the program, the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be displayed after every prayer for the devotees on March 12 and 13 which is Friday and Saturday. As a part of the Friday following on March 19, the Holy Relic will also be displayed to devotees on the day.
On the other side, to oversee the arrangements, Mayor, Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu along with Commissioner SMC Athar Amir Khan during the day visited the Hazratbal shrine.
The Mayor reviewed the arrangements put in place by Srinagar Municipal Corporation and by other departments including PDD, PHE, Traffic Police, and Health Departments. He directed for uninterrupted supply of electricity, drinking water and sanitation facilities at the shrine complex, particular during prayer times.
He also directed to launch upgraded sanitation at various other shrines including Peer Dastgeer Sahib, Jamia Masjid, Nakshband Sahib, on the occasion.
Officials of the District Administration Srinagar told Excelsior that detailed arrangements for the day have been put in place. There are several SRTC buses, as per the officials, that would be plying on various routes to Dargah Hazratbal on Friday.
Earlier, the traffic department has issued a detailed route plan for the devotees who would be thronging Dargah Hazratbal on Friday. The department has notified several parking places at the Kashmir University and NIT to make sure that the traffic during the day plies smoothly.
Every year, the Hazratbal shrine, on the banks of Dal Lake, witnesses the biggest congregation on this occasion. However, no such prayers were held at the shrine for the second consecutive year.
Earlier, last year, the COVID-19 threat was fresh and the administration had taken a slew of measures to contain the spread of infection. As part of a containment strategy, a total lockdown was imposed in J&K.
The Shab-e-Meraj observed on Rajab 27 of the Islamic Calendar and is an occasion when thousands of devotees throng masjids and shrines across Kashmir.
About the background of the occasion, Shab-e-Meraj, is the night marking the Isra and Miraj of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when he was taken from Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque and was then taken to the tour of heavens.
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