Srinagar: Thousands of devotees thronged Hazratbal and other shrines across Kashmir today on the occasion of the Friday following Eid e Milad (SAW).
The largest gathering on the occasion took place at the revered Hazratbal shrine, located on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, drawing thousands of devotees from across the valley.
While mosques and shrines echoed with ‘Durood-o-Azkar’ and ‘Naat Khwani’, an invocation Muslims make by reciting specific Arabic phrases to praise the last Messenger of Allah (SAW) since the pre-dawn (Fajar) prayers, preachers delivered sermons on the occasion.
A sizable number of devotees congregated at various other mosques and shrines across the valley on Friday. More than one lakh devotees including men, women and children, according to officials, gathered at Hazratbal alone on the occasion.
The holy relic, which is widely believed to be the Prophet’s (SAW) hair strand, was displayed at the shrine after the Friday congregational prayers. The devotees, especially women were seen bursting into tears and calling out loud to seek the blessings of holy Prophet (SAW) whilst catching the glimpse of the holy relic.
On the occasion, adequate arrangements were put in place by various government departments to facilitate the devotees participating in congregational prayers.
Congregational prayers were also held at Jenab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shahri Kalashpora, Lal Bazar, Khanqah-e-Maula, Ziarat Hazrat Dastageer Sahab (RA) Khanyar and Sarai-Payeen, Syed Yaqoob Sahab (RA) Sonwar, Khawaja Naqshband Sahab (RA), and Ziarat Makhdoom Sahib (RA).
Prayers were held at mosques and shrines in Anantnag mainly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan. Thousands of devotees thronged Khiram-Hazratbal Shrine in Anantnag district.
In Budgam, prayers were held throughout the day at the shrine of Sheik-ul-Alam (RA) Charar-e-Sharief and Ziayarat Hazrat Syed Hussain Simnani (RA).
Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi or Mawlid-un-Nabi as a major festival, commemorating the Prophet Mohammed’s (SAW) birth anniversary. Rabi-ul-Awwal celebrations last for a week, starting on the 12th day and ending on the 17th.
