Hundreds of Muslims offered prayers across the Jammu region as they celebrated Eid-ul-Adha on Saturday with deep religious devotion and a joyful spirit. Large crowds gathered at mosques and Eidgahs to offer special prayers across the ten districts of the region, with the largest congregation offering namaz at the Eidgah in Jammu city.
Other smaller congregations were held at various mosques throughout Jammu, including the Mecca Masjid. Following the prayers, people performed the traditional sacrifice of animals such as sheep, goats and cattle, commemorating the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim.
Officials said all Eid gatherings passed off peacefully across the region. Security was tightened to ensure a peaceful celebration. Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Darakshan Andrabi extended greetings to people on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha. "I extend greetings to all Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha...Everyone offered prayers peacefully and prayed for peace and prosperity. This is very important for our Jammu and Kashmir...," Andrabi said.
Earlier in the day, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti offered Namaz in Srinagar on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha.
Mirwaiz under house arrest
Authorities on Saturday barred Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah ground and the Jama Masjid in the old city here, while Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq claimed that he was put under house arrest.
"Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar deeply regrets to inform that the authorities have once again disallowed Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah as well as at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar by closing the gates of the mosque and deploying police personnel outside," the management of the historic mosque said in a statement. It said the authorities did not even permit the pre-dawn (Fajr) prayers. In a post on X, Miwaiz strongly condemned the move.
"Eid Mubarak! Yet again, Kashmir wakes up to the sad reality: no Eid prayers at Eidgah, and Jama Masjid locked down for the 7th straight year. I, too, have been detained at my home. In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray - even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world," he said.
"What a shame on those who rule over us, and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again," Mirwaiz said on X.
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