Shab-e-Meraj celebrated with religious fervour
Srinagar, Jan 27: Thousands of devotees thronged religious places across Kashmir to observe Shab-e-Meraj on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
The masjids and shrines across Kashmir were decorated with lights as people across all age groups gathered to observe the holy night of Shab-e-Meraj. In Kashmir, the biggest congregation was held at the revered shrine Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, where thousands participated in the night-long prayers amid cold temperatures.
Shab-e-Meraj is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab as per the Islamic calendar. This is celebrated as the holy night when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to the highest levels of the heavens. The Muslim devotees observe the whole night in special prayers, Islamic sermons, and other religious activities to mark the holy night across the world
“This is a very important night, and we come every year to be part of the massive gathering at Hazratbal shrine. It is an important night where we should seek the blessing of Almighty and also remember the personality of the prophet (SAW) and his teachings,” said a devotee at Hazratbal.
The administrators at Hazratbal said that thousands of devotees spend the whole night in congregational prayers and other religious activities.
“Religious activities start right after maghrib prayers, which include Natt and Durood Khwani. Special sermons are also given focusing on the teachings of the holy prophet and the importance of this night,” said an official.
Officials said that district administration had put special arrangements in place for the Shab-e-Meraj. They said PDD, SMC, Health Services, and Transport officials were asked to put in all the arrangements to ensure a smooth event.
“In addition to routine work, special sanitation drives were carried out across major religious places in Srinagar. We had put all the men and machinery to ensure that devotees don’t face any problems,” said an SMC Official.
Traffic police in Srinagar had also put in men and machinery to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
“Give huge influx of private and public transport vehicles. We had put our men and machinery to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Every year, thousands of devotees attend the gatherings, and traffic police prepare a well thought out plant to maintain smooth traffic flow,” said an official.
Meanwhile, special night-long prayers were held at shrines in Srinagar, including Asar-e-Sharif, Janab Sahib Soura; Asar-e-Sharif, Shehri Kalashpora; Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahib, Khanqah-e-Mualla and other shrines.
Shab-e-Meraj was also celebrated at Khanqah-e-Hydari at Aishmuqam with great zeal and religious fervour. Following the Maghrib prayers, the shrine reverberated with Darud Salaam, and recitations of the Holy Quran.
A special gathering took place in which Dr. Muhammad Sameer Shafi Siddiqui, addressed the attendees. He emphasised the importance of the Night of Ascension and offered prayers for peace, advancement, and prosperity of the entire Muslim Ummah.