SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: After a long gap of three years, authorities allowed holding Jumat-ul-vida prayer at the Historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar. On last Friday of Ramadan, Jumat-ul-vida, thousands of people reached Jamia Masjid to offer Friday prayers and sought blessings of Allah besides expressing gratitude for patience and courage. Jumat-ul -vida is an important day when Muslims get prepare to bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadan. People attend religious gatherings across religious places and spend time in prayers and charity.
The biggest congregation was held at Jammia Masjid Srinagar where thousands of people joined Friday prayers after almost three years besides listening to sermons on teachings of Islam.
Speaking with STATE TIMES Correspondent, locals said that it is a great news for all Muslims that authorities have allowed for offering last Friday prayers of Ramadan in Historic Masjid. Devotees participating in the prayers also thanked the authorities for all the arrangements. Many Islamic scholars were also present in Jamia Masjid and said, “Our focus is to make people understand how this holy month is a period of training for rest of the year. We as a Muslim should refrain from all negative activities for Ramadan and be good Muslim for all other months so that we can get reward from Allah.”
Meanwhile markets around Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Srinagar and other religious places witnessed huge rush of shoppers ahead of Eid. Traders said that there was a good footfall of customers in markets near religious places. According to officials, special arrangements were made by the administration across Srinagar and other places in view of Jumat-ul-vida. The SMC, JKRTC, Police, PDD and district administrations had made special arrangements for holding Jumat-ul-vida prayers.