Jumu’atul-Wida: at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar "Jamaat-ul-Vida" Refusing to allow congregational prayers, the authorities have decided to close the mosque. District Magistrate and police officials visited Jama Masjid at 9.30 am today (April 14) and ordered the management to close the gates of the mosque.
Actually, the prayers of Jamaat-ul-Vida have been traditionally organized in the Jamia Masjid for centuries. Traditionally, on the eve of Jumme-ul-Vida, large prayers are offered at the Jamia Masjid with more than 5 lakh people. But police have disallowed the prayer citing security concerns. At the same time, the governing body has condemned the decision terming it as an interference in the religious freedom of the people.
Millions of Muslims…
Anjuman strongly opposed this move of the officials. Lakhs of Muslims who traditionally come from all parts of the valley to Jamia Masjid to offer prayers on the last and other Fridays of Ramzan have suffered a lot, he said. In fact, there has been a tussle between the Akaf administration and the local administration for the last few days over the organization of Eid prayers at the Eidgah in Srinagar.
Today in Jammu and Kashmir…
DGP Dilbag Singh said at a function in Bandipora last week, "The final order on whether the prayer will be allowed by the local administration will be taken by the local administration. Although there is no law and order in Srinagar." Juma-ul-Vida is being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir today because Ramzan started here on 23 March. Jumeet-ul-Vida will be celebrated on April 21 in the rest of the country.
Eid may also be celebrated a day earlier in Jammu and Kashmir (most likely on 21 April) and 22 April along with the rest of the country as it is subject to moon sighting.
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