Srinagar: Eid-ul-Fitr, culminating the holy fasting month of Ramadan, was today celebrated throughout Kashmir valley with religious fervour and gaiety. Lakhs of people joined the Eid prayers in mosques, eidgahs, Jamia Mosques and other holy places in the Valley. However, Eid prayers were not allowed to be offered at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Ground in Srinagar and some other Eidgahs.
The main congregation was held at Hazratbal, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank on famous Dal Lake. Several lakhs of people, including women and children, from different parts of the Valley, joined the prayers at Hazratbal. Similar congregations were held at historic Eidgah in the downtown, where thousands of devotees joined the Eid prayers. Chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who was scheduled to address the congregation at Eidgah, was not allowed to join the prayers as he remained under house arrest. Later Mirwaiz addressed the congregation through mobile phone.
However, as soon as prayers were over at Eidgah, youths clashed with security force personnel, who burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who pelted stones. Reports of Eid celebrations were also received from other parts of the Valley. Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, her Cabinet colleagues, the Chairman of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly Speaker have felicitated people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a message of felicitation, the Governor expressed hope that this auspicious occasion would be the harbinger of peace, progress, prosperity and happiness and would strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and amity, which are the hallmarks of J&K’s glorious pluralistic traditions. The Chief Minister hoped this Eid will bring along everlasting peace, happiness and prosperity to the people of the state. Ms Mufti also prayed for communal harmony, brotherhood and upholding human values in the state.
