Srinagar: Shab-e-Qadr (Night of Power) was observed with religious fervour across the Valley on Monday night.
The night long prayers were held till Tuesday morning in all major mosques and shrines of Kashmir valley. The largest gatherings were held at the Jamia Masjid in the old city and the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake.
While the authorities barred Jumat-ul-Wida prayers in Srinagar’s grand Jamia Masjid on Friday which had triggered sharp reactions from public and politicians, the historic mosque was open to devotees on Shab-e-Qadr.
The night long prayers at Jamia mosque passed off peacefully, officials said.
Srinagar police also posted a video of Shab-e-Qadr prayers at Jamia mosque on its social media handle.
Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu said he earnestly hopes that now all Fridays and Eid prayers would be allowed at the grand mosque.
“A heartening, welcome sight as Shab-e-Qadr is observed at Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta with full religious fervor. Earnestly hope that this continues for all prayers, including Jummah and Eid Salah. Onus also on community elders and youth to ensure agent provocateurs remain at bay,” he tweeted.
Jamia Masjid is one of the biggest mosques in Kashmir and has been central to many important developments of the Valley.
At all mosques and shrines, besides ‘traweeh’ prayers, devotees remained engrossed in supplications and recitals of the holy Quran. Religious preachers also threw light on the significance of the holy night.
Special prayers were held for the peace and prosperity of the Kashmir valley.
The Shab-e-Qadar is one of the holiest and the blessed nights which usually falls on the 27th night of Ramadan. However, scholars say that it can also fall on any odd night of the last 10 days of the fasting month.
The day after Shab-e-Qadr, people usually start making preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr that falls after the fasting month. Shopping for the festive occasion also peaks after Shab-e-Qadr.
