Masjids, shrines reverberate with special night prayers
Shab-e-Me’raj was observed across J&K with religious zeal and fervour. Thousands of devotees from across Kashmir thronged Hazratbal mosque shrine here and offered night-long prayers.
Around 80,000 devotees offered Friday prayers at the mosque and the number of devotees went higher in evening as more people assembled for night prayers.
The J&K Wakf Board, controlling the shrine, had made special arrangements for the devotees.
On Saturday, the holy relic will be also displayed after Nimaz-e-Zuhr at 2 pm, after Nimaz-e-Asr at 5:25 pm, Maghrib at 7:8pm and Isha prayers at 8:45 pm.
A fleet of vehicles from state road transport corporation ferried devotees to and from the shrine, especially from far-flung areas of Kashmir.
Authorities had made arrangements for transportation of devotees which plied till late evening.
Elaborated route plan were published for devotees for the smooth regulation of traffic on the roads leading to Hazratbal.
Srinagar municipal corporation commissioner Riyaz Ahmad Wani said the corporation took up all operations of sanitation, street lights especially at Hazratbal, Jenab Sahib Soura and Asar-i-Sharief Kalashpora.
Meraj-e-Alam was also celebrated with religious fervor in various Masjids and shrines including Jenab Sahib Soura, Asar-i-Sharief Shehri Kalashpora, Ka’aba Marg, Asar-i-Sharief Baramulla, Aham Sharief Bandipora and other places.
Religious scholars in their sermons highlighted the importance of the night and its blessings. They also highlighted teachings and various aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Earlier, Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and others had greeted people of the State on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Meraj.
They had prayed that this pious occasion brings peace, prosperity and happiness for the people of the State.