Srinagar: All restaurants, hotels and other roadside tea stalls and vendors selling eatables are closed on Wednesday, on the first day of Holy fasting month of Ramadhan in the Kashmir valley, where people offered “ Taraweeh” prayers after Crescent moon was sighted on Tuesday evening.
With the commencement of holy month from today all restaurants, hotels, dhabas and roadside tea stalls were closed in the main towns in the Kashmir valley,including summer capital, Srinagar. The famous busy foot street in civil lines also remained closed. All shops, selling Kashmiri dishes remained shut today.
Similarly, restaurants also remained closed. Roadside tea stalls and vendors selling eatables also remained shut. Many tea stall owners have changed their trade to earn their livelihood after closing their stalls during this month.
Similar reports were also received from other main towns and tehsil headquarters.
Meanwhile, people offered additional Taraweeh prayers Tuesday night. The devotees had followed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), including wearing masks and keeping social distancing during the prayers.
After administration imposed night curfew from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs following surge in COVID-19 cases, religious organizations were worried as this was affecting Taraweeh (night) and Fajr (Morning) prayers. Later, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha directed Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) to facilitate prayers and religious functions during the month of Ramadhan during curfew hours in their respective areas of operation.
This was welcomed by the religious leaders who assured that prayers would be held after following SOPs strictly. The Anjuman Auqaf of historic Jamia Masjid (AAJM) had announced that prayers at the grand masjid would be held under strict observance of COVID-19. However, any violation by devotees would force AAJM to review the decision on prayers at Jamia Masjid. The AAJM said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic guidelines and SOPs issued by medical experts, will be strictly followed during prayers and Taraweeh (night prayers) at the grand masjid. Anjuman had stressed upon the people intending to offer prayers at Jamia Masjid to religiously follow these guidelines by wearing face masks, using sanitizers and ensuring proper social distancing inside the grand masjid. It was made clear that any violation by Namaazis in the said guidelines regarding COVID-19 prevention may create issues which could even force the Auqaf to review the decision on prayers at Jamia Masjid.
Similar assurance was given by management of other Jamia Masjid, mosques and other shrines in the valley.
