Waris Shah
The gates of Hazratbal mosque on the banks of the pictersque Dal Lake have been shut, in order to disallow devotees to enter the mosque, in view of the massive surge of covid-19 cases in Jammu Kashmir. Khanqahs, dozens in numbers, in the Central Kashmir’s Srinagar too were shut, according to an official order issued to the Waqf board, which manages most of the Khanqahs and mosques across Jammu Kashmir.
Normally, on the last Friday of Ramdhan, Jummat ul Wida, the markets remained abuzz with activity. People from rural areas thronged Kashmir markets to shop for the festivities of Shab e Qadr and Eid ul Fitr. However, this year the markets along with the Masjids, were manned by Government Force personnel as death and oygen crisis have taken central stage in Kashmir. Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid too remained shut.
The Auqafs committees have annnounced that the Shab e Qadr congregational prayers have also been called off in various mosques in Kashmir.
The famous shrine of Aishmuqam in Anantnag, was shut for devotees on Friday, as a precuationary measure in wake of the massive surge of covid cases in Jammu Kashmir where more than 36 people have succumbed to covid 19 overnight.
Throughout the districts of South Kashmir, the main mosques were locked down as a preventive measure, to stop the furthering of covid 19 infection.
Jamia Masjid of Islamabad, which is the centre of South Kashmir mosques and holds an important market around it, remained shut. No activity was witnessed around this Central mosque of the district, as security men in heavy numbers were deployed outside the gates of the Masjid.
Hundreds of shoppers from various parts of South Kashmir trade essential commodities here and thousands of people from South Kashmir come here to shop everything ranging from groceries to antique items.
The Auqaf commitee had already informed people that Jamia Masjid of Islamabad shall remain closed on Jummat ul Wida and Shab e Qadr too.
Similar announcements have been made acrosss the valley, asking people to remain distant from gatherings to stop the spread of covid-19 infection.