NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 17 (NVI): As they say the faith is unshakable, which was once again on a display at the Kashmir’s revered shrine Hazratbal, Srinagar where thousands of people converged today to have the glimpse of holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.
The 12th day of Islamic Calendar Rabi-ul-Awal is celebrated as Eid-e-Milad un Nabi (the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) across the globe and also in Jammu and Kashmir with full religious gaiety. Largest congregation was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine that houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which was displayed first after pre-dawn prayers (Fajr) today and then after afternoon prayers (Zuhr).
Witnesses told NVI that thousands of people including elderly, women, and children from the nook and corner of the Valley gathered at the Hazratbal shrine to offer afternoon prayers and to have the glimpse of the holy relic. Soon after the afternoon prayers finished at 2:15 pm, the head priest of the shrine displayed the holy relic to the devotees.
Emotions went high as elderly and women could be seen breaking down after seeing the holy relic. The devotees were seeking blessings of Almighty and also praying for themselves and dear ones. Many were seen praying for the everlasting peace in Kashmir.
Among the devotees were many elderly men and women who have never missed the chance of having the glimpse of a sacred relic in the past 40 or 30 years. “I have come all the way from Kupwara district just to see the holy relic. In the past 35 years, I haven’t missed a single chance to see this sacred relic. During the bad old days of curfew and shutdowns, I walked several kilometres to reach this shrine,” said Abdul Gaffar Dar, who is in mid-70’s. Like Dar, there were many devotees who have been frequently visiting the shrine on the occasion of 12th Rabi-ul-Awal. And not just the elderly men but women too are committed.
“This is the place where we find solace. My heart finds peace every time I see the holy relic. Whatever I have asked Almighty after seeing the holy relic, Almighty has granted me the same. This shrine is for the poor people who can’t afford to visit Madina, the resting place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” said Zoona Begum, who had come all the way from Qazigund in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
Many devotees blamed the J&K administration for creating confusion about the Eid-e-Milad Holiday. “Today should have been a holiday so that people who couldn’t make it to the shrine should have visited as well. The administration announced a holiday yesterday, which sans logic,” said Adil Rashid, a young devotee. He said people of Kashmir failed to understand for what the holiday was announced for yesterday when it was supposed to be today. Since Kashmir will witness the first phase of elections tomorrow, it is believed that the J&K administration didn’t want its workforce to sit home as the same would have affected the preparations for polling. Earlier, night long prayers were held at the shrine in which hundreds of devotees participated. The holy relic was displayed for them soon after the pre-dawn prayers. Meanwhile, vendors and shopkeepers also criticised the administration’s decision of announcing Eid-e-Milad Holiday Yesterday. “This is the only occasion, when people in lakhs visit the shrine. They don’t only have the glimpse of the holy relic but also do shopping from our carts. But today, we there is less presence of devotees than what it used to be on Eid-e-Milad occasions in the past,” said Rashid Gilkar, a vendor. (News Vibes of India)
