Kashmir observes Juma’atul-Vida with religious fervour

Suhail Khan 

Srinagar, Mar 13 ; The last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan, Juma’atul-Vida, was observed with religious fervour across Kashmir on Friday, with thousands of devotees thronging mosques and shrines to offer special congregational prayers.

Officials told Kashmir Convener, the largest gathering was witnessed at the Hazratbal shrine here, situated on the banks of Dal Lake, where nearly 80,000 people offered prayers. Among the worshippers at the shrine was former Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Congregational prayers were held at major mosques and shrines across all districts of the Valley, including Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, and Bandipora.

Reports reaching Kashmir Convener said large numbers gathered at Bandipora mosques in areas like Gundpora. Similar scenes were witnessed in Baramulla and Kupwara districts, where residents assembled in large numbers for the prayers.

However, the historic Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area of the city remained closed for the seventh consecutive year on this occasion, with authorities not permitting prayers.

Officials confirmed that barring this, congregational prayers were held peacefully across the Valley with enthusiastic participation from the faithful.

Juma’atul-Vida, meaning the ‘Friday of farewell’, holds special significance as it marks the last Friday of Ramzan, drawing large crowds to mosques during the final days of the fasting month.

Earlier, the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir-ul-Islam, had announced that Juma’atul-Vida would be observed on March 13. He added that Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on either March 20 or 21, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.

“After consultation with scholars, it was decided that Juma’atul-Vida will be observed today,” he had said.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration declared a public holiday on Friday on the occasion.

An order issued by the General Administration Department stated that all government offices and educational institutions across the Union Territory would remain closed.