No night prayers on Shab-Mehraj, Holy Relic of Prophet will be displayed after prayers
Srinagar, Mar 11: The congregational prayers will not be held on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi being celebrated during the night in the shrines, including Assar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, in the Kashmir valley in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the devotees will have the “Deedar” (glimpse) of holy Relic on Friday after every prayers from Fajr (morning) till “Ishaa” (night prayers).
Meanwhile, Awami Action Committee (AAC) has canceled the decades-old tradition of “ Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh” at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi due to the continued detention of Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who is also chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC).
In a tweet, yesterday AAC, also headed by Mirwaiz said “ Due to the continued house detention of .@MirwaizKashmir, the decades-old tradition of Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh scheduled tomorrow at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi (SAW) stands canceled”.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Singh, three former Chief Minister—Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti-- and other politicians, religious and social leaders have greeted people on the occasion. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole, who prayed at Shankeracharya temple on the occasion of Mahashivratri today also greeted people on Meraj-un-Nabi.
The Wakf Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mufti Muhammad Farid-ud-Din Showkat Beigh has said that it has been decided not to observe night-long prayers at any shrine falling under the domain of Wakf Board because of the pandemic.
Similarly, no night prayers would be held in Hazratbal shrine. However, devotees will have deedar of Holy Relic after every prayers.
Thousands of people, including women and children, were participating in the night long prayers at Hazratbal shrine on the bank of Dal Lake on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi every year.
Meanwhile, administration has made all necessary arrangements, including security, for devotees visiting shrines and other holy places in the valley.
The traffic department has also announced a traffic plan for Friday to avoid any traffic jams or chaos during the visit of devotees to the Hazratbal shrine.