Srinagar, Mar 13: Jumatul Vida, the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, was observed across Jammu and Kashmir as thousands of devotees thronged mosques and shrines to offer congregational prayers.
The largest gathering for Jumatul Vida prayers took place at Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake.
Officials said an estimated 80,000 people offered prayers there.
Among the notable persons to offer prayers at Hazratbal was former chief minister Farooq Abdullah.
The congregational prayers were held in mosques and shrines in across the Valley, including Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian and Bandipora districts.
In Bandipora district, people gathered in mosques in areas including Gundpora and other villages to offer Juma’atul Vida prayers.
Similar gatherings were reported from mosques in Baramulla and Kupwara districts where residents assembled for the congregational prayers.
People also offered prayers in mosques in Pulwama and Shopian districts, where large numbers of worshippers attended the congregations.
However, prayers were not allowed at the Jama Masjid in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar as authorities closed the mosque for the seventh consecutive year on the occasion.
Officials said the congregational prayers were otherwise held in mosques and shrines across the Valley, with people participating in large numbers.
Jumatul Vida marks the last Friday of Ramzan and holds significance for Muslims as people gather in mosques for prayers during the final days of the fasting month.
Although there is a possibility of having another Friday in this year’s fasting month, J&K’s Grand Mufti Nasir Ul Islam yesterday said the Jumatul Vida will be observed this week.
He said Eid ul-Fitr is likely to fall on March 20 (Friday) or March 21 (Saturday), depending on the appearance of the crescent moon.
“After consulting other scholars, it was decided to observe Jumatul Vida on March 13,” he said.
Subsequently, the government announced a public holiday on Friday.