The “Lialat-ul-Qadr” (Shab-e-Qadr) was celebrated throughout the Kashmir valley without organizing any congregational prayers in view of coronavirus pandemic.
People hold night-long prayers in their respective homes on the occasion in the valley, including Srinagar.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMEU), an organization of different religious bodies, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, has appealed to people not to hold any congregational prayers in the wake of pandemic. The MMEU has asked people pray at their homes during Shab-e-Qadr, Jamait-ul-Vida (last Friday of holy month of Ramadhan). The amalgam has also asked people not to hold any Eid prayers in Eidgahs or any other religious place due to threat of spread of virus.
Realizing the threat of Covid-19, people across the Kashmir valley offered night-long prayers at their homes on the occasion of Shab-e-Qadr. People prayed for immediate end of Coronavirus pandemic and early restoration of normal life.
All mosques and shrines, including Asaar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, Jamia Masjid and other worship places remained closed since the lockdown was announced in March.
MMeU has also asked people to offer Jamait-ul-Vida prayers at their homes. However, as the Eid-ul-Fitr cannot be held at homes, people are confused how to offer Eid prayers. Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir had recently announced to raise the issue of Eid prayers with the government.
However, MMeU have appealed to people not to hold any congregation on last Friday of holy month tomorrow.