Shab-e Qadr was observed across Jammu and Kashmir with religious fervor with lakhs of Muslims offering night-long prayers.
Muslims offered prayers in local and central mosques and shrines across the Valley.
The biggest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine here where thousands of people joined special prayers during the night and also listened to sermons on teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Thousands of people also participated in night-long prayers at historic Jamia Masjid here where Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivered a sermon after ‘Taraveeh’ prayers.
Ulema and religious scholars in their sermons highlighted the teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and urged Muslims to follow the same.
The congregational night long prayers were also held at all mosques and shrines in Srinagar including Masjid Jamiat-e-AhlehadithGawkadal; Asar-e-Sharif Janab Sahib Soura; Asar-e-Sharif ShehriKalashpora; Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib (RA), Khanqah-e-Maula and other Masajid and Shrines.
In South Kashmir, congregational night long prayers were held at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahlihadith, Bait-ul-Muqaram and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Islamabad (Anantnag) town. Night long prayers were also offered in Ziarat-e-ShariefKhiram; Kund, Aishmuqam and Bijbehara areas of the district.
In Kulgam, the biggest night long prayer gathering was seen in Jamia Masjid. Large congregational prayer gathering was also witnessed in KhankahTral, Jamia Masjid Shopian and Jamia Masjid Pulwama.
Thousands of Muslims also offered night long prayers in all other districts of the state.
The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had directed the Divisional Administrations of both Jammu province and Kashmir region to ensure that all facilities were provided to the people especially on account of transportation, water supply and electricity during the night.
She had also directed State Wakf Board authorities to put all necessary arrangements at all Shines for devotees.
“We had put all arrangements on place at every Shrine. The devotees offered prayers throughout the night. There was no complaint from any corner regarding the arrangements,” said Peer Muhammad Hussain, Vice Chairman of State Wakf Board.
A senior official of divisional administration said that concerned departments were directed to play their role effectively.
“Public transport also ferried devotees to and from various Masajid and shrines,” he added.
Farooq Ahmad Lone, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, said that district administration had directed authorities to supply uninterrupted supply of electricity, drinking water.
“Street lights were functional and sanitation, transportation of devotees and all other necessary arrangements were put on place,” he added.
Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti felicitated people on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Qadr.
GK