Barring the historic Jama Masjid Nowhatta, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers were offered peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir amid overcast weather conditions.
Thousands oof Muslims had gathered at Hazratbal and other mosques and shrines across the valley to offer Eid prayers.
The prayers were also held at other mosques and shrines in Srinagar including at Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith Gawkadal, Asar-e-Sharif Janab Sahib Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora, Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib (RA) and Khanqah-e-Maula.
In north Kashmir, the prayers were held at Jama Masjid Bandipora, Jama Masjid Baramulla, Jama Masjid Kupwara, Masjid ul Murshideen Khushaal Sahib Bumhama, Jama Masjid Handwara and other local mosques.
In south Kashmir, prayers were held at Jama Masjid Hanfia, Jama Masjid Ahle Hadith, Bait-ul-Mukarram and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Anantnag town. The prayers were also offered in Ziarat-e-Sharief Khiram Kund, Aishmuqam and Bijbehara areas of the south Kashmir district.
In Kulgam, the prayers were held in Markazi Jama Masjid. Large congregational prayers were also witnessed in Khankah Tral, Jama Masjid Shopian and Jama Masjid Pulwama.
In Srinagar, authorities denied permission for Eid prayers in Jama Masjid Nowhatta, after initially hinting to allow the prayers in the historic mosque.
Reports said the gates of the mosque were closed early morning by the security grid and deployments were made in and around the mosque to implement the orders by the authorities.
Voicing his concern over the decision of authorities to shut the Jamia Masjid on Eid, Grand Mufti, J-K, Nasir-ul-Islam said given the prevailing situation in the Valley, the authorities ought to have allowed the prayers at the historic mosque. “Why is it that the authorities withdrew the permission at the eleventh hour”, Islam said.
“Peaceful conduct of prayers was witnessed in the prayers recently held at the mosque, which indicated that the prayers should have been allowed”, Islam said adding “The occasion of Eid is a joyous occasion and withholding the prayers on such an occasion mars the very essence of such a blissful occasion.” (GNS)
