Srinagar, Sept 29: Eid e Milad un Nabi (SAW), the Birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was observed across Kashmir valley with religious fervor , gaiety and devotion.
The auspicious occasion of Milad un Nabi (SAW) was marked by huge congregational prayers, sermons, religious gatherings at the major shrines, mosques and other religious places across Kashmir. The religious places reverberated with prayers and supplications while large Milad processions were taken out at several places including Srinagar city, to mark the holy occasion.
Devotees in large numbers participated in congregational prayers and religious gatherings wherein the scholars and religious leaders enlightened people and delivered sermons on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The scholars stressed upon the message of peace, love, and empathy engraved by the last and most revered Prophet of Islam to foster harmony within the humans and instill the essence of Islamic beliefs and values among people.
The largest congregational prayers were held at the revered Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar where thousands of people from across the valley swarmed to participate in the prayers and have a glimpse of the holy relic of prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Imam Khateeb, Dargah Hazratbal Shrine, Prof. (Dr.) Kamaal Farooqi told Rising Kashmir that more than 60 thousand people participated in Friday congregational prayers to mark Eid Milad Un Nabi (SAW) at the historic shrine.
“My sermon focused on the arrival of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and his message to the entire world. Sunnah and commandments of the holy Quran were also highlighted during the two hour long speech,” he said.
The emotional speech of Dr. Farooqi was widely appreciated by the devotees and waqf officials.
Pertinent to mention here, the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was displayed to devotees after each prayer beginning from the early morning prayers (Fajr) following special nightlong prayers that were held at the shrine on Thursday. The Holy relic was displayed after each prayer ( Fajar, Zuhar, Asar, Maghrib, Ishaa) on Friday.
Since early morning thousands of devotees including men, women, and children, gathered at Hazratbal shrine to offer the Friday congregational prayers on the eve of Milad un Nabi (SAW). Amid the presence of thousands of devotees congregational prayers were offered at the shrine which was followed by display of the holy relic.
According to reports people in large numbers from other parts of the valley including north Kashmir, south Kashmir also thronged the shrine on the eve of the auspicious occasion.
Hundreds of devotees had started arriving at the shrine since Thursday evening and offered nightlong prayers at the shrine.
The streets across the Hazratbal area donned a festive look filled with enthusiastic devotees. A hustle and bustle was witnessed in markets which remained busy and were fully decorated on Friday commemorating the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet (SAW).
Eid e Milad un Nabi processions proceeded through the city streets that were decorated with banners, lights and flags.
Across the city, the mosques and shrines remained abuzz with prayers and sermons.
On the eve of Milad un Nabi (SAW), special congregation prayers were also held at the shrines of Maqdoom Saheb (RA), Dastgeer Saheb (RA), Khanqah Moula (RA), Saed Saheb Soura (RA), and other shrines and mosques across the city.
Meanwhile, adequate arrangements were put in place by the administration to facilitate the hassle free movement of the devotees.
The city traffic department had devised a special traffic plan to ensure smooth traffic movement along the routes leading to Hazratbal Shrine and other shrines across the city. The officials at the traffic department revealed that specific routes were announced for the devotees to reach the shrine.
“ The department has deployed RTC buses at Lal Chowk to ply on several routes of the city. The devotees visiting Hazratbal shrine are boarding the buses at the specific routes already particularized by the department”, an official at the traffic department Srinagar said.
They said that RTC buses were available at the entry points to ferry the devotees coming from other districts of the valley.
Special arrangements, including the availability of water and food were made by government and non-governmental organisations for the comfort of the devotees visiting the shrine.
On the occasion several government and non-governmental organizations had erected makeshift tents to serve the people visiting the shrines.
Throughout the day shrines and mosques remained abuzz with the recitation of holy Quran and Darood Shareef. People were seen raising their hands with devotion and seeking blessings from the Almighty.
Milad processions were also taken out at several places in other parts of the valley witnessing huge participation of people from different areas, particularly youth, in large numbers.
Huge congregational prayers were held in mosques and shrines in South and northern parts of Kashmir valley.
