Thousands throng Hazratbal shrine for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi prayers
Srinagar: Thousands of devotees thronged the Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar for night-long prayers on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad un-Nabi, the revered birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the shrine’s lawns and courtyards were packed with worshippers from evening, with the night resonating with Quranic recitations, soul-stirring naats, and the collective chorus of duas. Devotees also caught a glimpse of the Prophet’s (PBUH) holy relic after pre-dawn prayers this morning. The holy relic will be displayed during the remaining four prayers of the day.
The celebrations extended beyond Hazratbal, as mosques, khanqahs, and shrines across IIOJK echoed with sermons, processions, and prayers highlighting the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings, life, and character.
Devotees will continue to flock to the Hazratbal shrine throughout the day to offer prayers, celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Mawlid), and catch a glimpse of the holy relic.
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi falls on 12 Rabi ul Awwal of the Islamic calendar, and devotees honor the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings, sufferings, and exemplary character.
Notably, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is being observed in IIOJK today (Saturday), while the official holiday was declared on Friday as per the January notification issued by the administration led by New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The move is widely seen as disregarding Islamic traditions and hurting the religious sentiments of Kashmiri Muslims.
Senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the authorities’ “deliberate negligence,” stating: “For the second consecutive year, the administration has failed to reschedule the holiday according to the actual lunar date, disregarding the sentiments of Muslims in J&K. This deliberate oversight is unacceptable.”
IIOJK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also criticized the decision, calling it “inconsiderate” and “designed to hurt the sentiments of the people,” pointing out that the official calendar specifies holidays are “subject to the appearance of the moon.”
