Srinagar: Jumatul-Vida, the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan, was observed by most of the faithful in Kashmir by praying inside their homes as per the government orders.
While all the mosques near main roads remained closed, Friday prayers were, however, offered in some mosques located in the interiors of the city and elsewhere in the valley, sources said.
Normally thousands of people from across the valley throng central Jama Masjid at Nowhatta and Dargah Hazratbal to offer congregational prayers on Jumat-ul-Vida. However, this year it was different. No congregational prayers where held there or elsewhere in accordance with the government guidelines to avoid gathering and movement amid COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the number of COVID-19 positive patients is on rise in the valley, people offer regular as well as congregational prayers at their homes as a precautionary measure to avoid falling prey to deadly virus which so far has claimed millions of lives globally.
Roads leading to Jama Masjid and Hazratbal were sealed with concertina wire and iron barricades to avoid public gathering while poses of police and paramilitary CRPF were deployed to ensure the lockdown is complied in letter and spirit.
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed around Jama Masjid at Nowhatta in old city and its main entrances was locked.
Deployment of police was also beefed-up around other shrines in the valley including Srinagar to prevent people from gathering and offering Friday prayers collectively. Administration as well as religious clerics of the valley have asked people to follow health advisory properly and avoid gathering in mosques and shrines till threat subsides.
