Srinagar: The last Friday of the month of holy Ramadhan (Juma-tul-Vida,was observed as the “Youm-ul-Quds and Kashmir” to impress upon the international community to come forward in a big way to help the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir secure their “inalienable” right to self-determination.
Call for the observance of the Day was given by Joint Resistance leadership. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front led a demonstration in Maisuma Srinagar.
As expected Syed Ali Shah Geelani was barred from offering Friday prayers while Mirwaiz Umar in his address at historical Jamia Masjid said that India’s use of excessive force and killings can’t deter people of Kashmir from running this ongoing freedom struggle.
In wake of protest call forwarded by Resistance Camp, peaceful protests were staged in different parts of Valley. Clashes erupted in couple of parts including Nowhatta. Anti-Israel and anti-India protest marches were taken out in scores of areas of Kashmir Valley including Srinagar city.
Resolutions supporting the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir and Palestine were passed in many mosques.
The resolutions urged the international community to address the issue in the interest of peace in the world.
Anti-Israel, anti-US and anti-India protest were held in different parts of Kashmir Valley including Budgam, Magam, Srinagar, Baramulla, Pattan and in other areas.
The largest congregation of devotees was witnessed at historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar where thousands of people joined the prayers. The second biggest gathering was seen at Dargah Hazratbal shrine.
At Jamia Masjid, the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Muhammad Umar Farooq delivered the Friday sermon, throwing light on the importance Jumat-ul-Vida. “Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching. Let’s not forget to help poor and downtrodden. Let’s make it easier for them to celebrate Eid,” he said.
Massive clashes erupted between youth and government forces in downtown Nowhatta area of Srinagar after the Friday prayers Eyewitnesses said that clashes erupted after youth who were in hundreds tried to march towards Khanyar area, “They were stopped by police to which the youth responded with tear gas and pellet firing.”
A procession also emerged in Press Enclave Srinagar that had started from Abi Guzar Srinagar.
At Hazratbal shrine, thousands of devotees joined the congregational Friday prayers. The J&K Wakf Board, which controls the shrine management, had made arrangements for the devotees who were seen thronging the religious place since early Friday morning.
The congregational prayers were also held at all mosques and shrines in Srinagar including Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahlehadith, Gawkadal; Asar-e-Sharif, Janab Sahib Soura; Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora; Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib, Khanqah-e-Mualla, and different Imambaras.
In South Kashmir, people in large numbers offered Jumat-ul-Vida congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahlihadith, Bait-ul-Muqaram and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Islamabad (Anantnag) town. Congregational prayers were also offered in Ziarat-e-Sharief Khiram Kabamarg; Kund, Aishmuqam and Bijbehara areas of the district.
In Kulgam, the biggest prayer gathering was seen in Jamia Masjid. Large congregational prayer gathering was also witnessed in Khankah Tral, Jamia Masjid Shopian and Jamia Masjid Pulwama.
Thousands of Muslims also offered Jumat-ul-Vida prayers in all other districts of the state.
Jumat-ul-Vida was also observed as Youm-e-Quds and Yoom-e-Kashmir in the state. (CNS)
