Shab-e-Baraat observed with religious fervour

Srinagar, Feb 13: A rush of devotees was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine to mark the occasion of Shab-e-Baraat on Thursday night.

Hosting the largest gathering of devotees, Hazratbal reverberated with Zikr-o-Azkar amidst the night-long prayers.

Shab-e-Baraat, considered holy by Muslims across the world, is observed in Shabaan, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and specified for the intervening night of the 14th and 15th Shabaan.

During the event, special arrangements by the shrine Intizamia were in place for thousands of devotees offering night-long prayers.

An official said that devotees in thousands participated in various religious gatherings.

“Special sermons, Naat Khawani, and Zikir Majalis were held at Hazratbal. Scholars placed special emphasis on the importance of the night as devotees prayed for forgiveness amid night-long prayers,” the shrine administrators said.

To facilitate congregational prayers at various religious places, the officials in the administration said that various departments had made special arrangements keeping in view the importance of the occasion.

In addition, SMC, SRTC, Police, Power Development Department (PDD), and district administration had put special arrangements in place for the devotees.

To facilitate the cleanliness around religious places, the SMC officials said that they had pressed men and machinery across religious places in Srinagar.

Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, Darakshan Andrabi said that they had put all necessary arrangements in place so that devotees do not face any inconvenience.

“The construction work on multiple shrines under Waqf is ongoing, but in view of the Shab-e-Baraat, special arrangements were put in place to ensure that the night is observed smoothly. This is the holy night, and we pray for the peace and prosperity of J&K,” she said.

The markets were decorated with lights across Masjids and major shrines like Hazratbal.

In view of this occasion, brisk sales were witnessed by traders and vendors across the spots thronged by devotees.

The devotees across all age groups were seen visiting the famous Hazratbal shrine on Thursday.

“There are certain nights in the Islamic calendar which hold great significance and Shab-e-Baraat is one such night. I am glad to participate in such a huge gathering and pray from myself, my family, and entire Kashmir on this occasion,” said Altaf Ahmad, a devotee from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.

Meanwhile, prayers were also offered at Chrar-e-Sharief, Khankahi Moula, and other major shrines across Kashmir.

Devotees also prayed special congregational prayers at Buka-e-Aliya, Sultan-ul-Arifeen, Sheikh Hamza Maqdoomi, Ziyarat Dastageer Sahab, Ziyarat Naqshband Sahab, Ziyarat Kalashpora, Ziyarat Sheikh Nur uddin Noorani, Khanqah-e-Mualla, and other prominent shrines across Kashmir.