Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today joined thousands of devotees in offering Friday prayers at the revered Hazratbal Shrine on the occasion of the Friday following Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
On this blessed occasion, the Chief Minister also had the honour of witnessing the sacred glimpse (‘deedar’) of the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) after the congregational prayers.
He prayed for peace, prosperity, and happiness for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, also accompanied him on the occasion, which comes exactly a week after a controversy erupted over the placement of a plaque bearing the national emblem in the shrine.
Speaking on the occasion, senior Abdullah counseled the fruit growers in Kashmir to take crop insurance, saying otherwise, there will always be losses due to changes in the weather patterns.
“I have said it many times. Our people don’t know how important it is (to have crop insurance). The weather pattern has changed and if we do not take crop insurance, people will always suffer losses,” Farooq Abdullah told the media.
The senior Abdullah said he prayed at the Hazratbal shrine for peace and brotherhood between Muslims and Hindus in the country.
“Prayed to God to forgive our sins, take the people of J&K out of this difficulty, have mercy on India and keep brotherhood; and that bond between Hindus and Muslims should prevail,” he said.
Last Friday, a huge controversy erupted in Kashmir after a plaque with the Ashoka emblem was vandalised in the Hazratbal shrine. Most political parties accused Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi of hurting religious sentiments by using the national emblem in the mosque and demanded registration of a criminal case and her immediate removal.
The NC president said there is conflict everywhere in the world and urged people to seek God.
“Look at the situation in Gaza. Muslims everywhere are being thrashed because we have distanced ourselves from God. Until we go nearer to God and leave this dishonesty and theft, Allah will not forgive us,” he said.
On last Saturday, Omar Abdullah joined the devotees at the revered shrine here on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, and prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity for the people of the Union Territory.
The chief minister offered the Magrib (evening) prayers at the shrine.
He criticised the use of the national emblem on a renovation plaque by the Waqf Board at the shrine, asserting that the symbol is meant for government functions and not religious institutions.
During the tour of the flood-affected areas in south Kashmir, Omar Abdullah said the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board should apologise for the “mistake” that has hurt religious sentiments.
