SRINAGAR: The crescent for the month of Shawwal was sighted in Jammu and Kashmir, therefore Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said on Tuesday evening. 

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), he said that enough evidences were received from various parts of J&K about sighting of the crescent, 

He said that the consultative committee headed by him (Grand Mufti) with members Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Rehmatullah Qasimi, Moulana Abdul Lateef Alqandi, Ghulam Rasool Hami and ulemas from Jammu and Chenab valley have concluded that Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Wednesday. 
 
He also extended his Eid greetings to the Muslim Ummah, especially to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “May this auspicious occasion bring with it a lot of joy, happiness, peace and prosperity to all of us”, he said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: While hoping that the government will release all leaders languishing in jails, Grand Mufti,  Nasir-ul-Islam today welcomed the decision of authorities to release Mirwaiz Umer Farooq from house detention after a gap of four years.

In a statement to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said, "It is a welcome step by the authorities to release the Mirwaiz Umer Farooq Sahab from house detention and allow him to lead Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid here."

 "This was a long due as Mirwaiz Sahab had been under house detention after the decision to abrogate Article 370 and 35A and subsequent bifurcation of the state into two union territories", reads the statement.

"I can only hope that this decision indicates the change in the stance of authorities towards the political prisoners put behind bars from time to time", Islam said adding, "hope the others are also released soon."

The Grand Mufti in the meantime urged the Government of India to lift restrictions on passports of many citizens of Kashmir. "There are many people whose passports have been withheld by the Government, and I urge GoI to lift these restrictions to allow a hassle-free movement at par with the other citizenry of the country", Islam said. (KNT)

SRINAGAR: Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on June 29 in Jammu and Kashmir as the crescent of Dhul Hijjah, according to Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand cleric Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, was sighted on Monday evening in Chenab Valley’s Ramban district. 

Talking to GNS, the Grand Mufti said that the crescent of holy Dhul Hijjah was sighted in Batote area of Ramban district and as such Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on June 29, 2023. 

Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of Islamic Calendar, largely holds relevance due to annual Hajj pilgrimage and (animal) sacrifices on eve of Bakr-e-Eid.  

Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said that all those intending to do sacrifices, making Qurbani of animals, are supposed not to trim their hair or nails until the sacrifices’ are actually made on any given day during Bakra-e-Eid, as per well-established Ahadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad SAW).

*BRIEF HISTORY OF EID-UL-ADHA*

The history of the Eid-ul-Adha started when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) kept having a recurring dream of slaughtering his beloved son, Prophet Ismail (AS) attributed to fulfill the wishes of Almighty Allah.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS), as known from plethora of evidence from Islamic literature including Quran and Ahadith, is said to have spoken to his son Prophet Ismail (AS) regarding the dream, explaining to him how Allah wanted him to make his sacrifice. Prophet Ismail (AS) who was just as much a man of Allah as his father, reciprocated well and agreed and asked his father to comply according to the wishes of Allah. It is said the Shaitan (the devil) tempted Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and tried to dissuade the father (Prophet Ibrahim AS) from making the sacrifice of his son, but the latter shunned it away vehemently. 

Allah saw Prophet Ibrahim’s absolute devotion and sent Jibreel (Angel Gabriel), the Archangel, bearing a sheep for slaughter. Prophet Jibreel (AS) told Prophet Ibrahim (AS) that Allah was pleased with his devotion to him and sent the sheep to be slaughtered in place of his son. Ever since the cattle sacrifice is a major part of Eid-ul-Adha celebrations which not only commemorates Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismael’s love for Allah but also shows that one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of what they love dearly, just for the sake of Allah. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The crescent for the month of Shawwal 1444 A.H has not been sighted anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir, Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said here on Thursday evening.

Talking to GNS, Islam said there was no testimony from anywhere regarding the sighting of crescent, leading this office to conclude that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Saturday across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Grand Mufti has extended in advance his warm Eid greetings to the whole Ummah and especially to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “May this auspicious eve brings with it a lot of joy, happiness, peace and prosperity to all of us”, Islam said. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Grand Mufti, J&K, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam was on Wednesday caught in a quagmire after a video-clip, purportedly showing him making an announcement regarding the sighting of ‘Shawal moon’ went viral on social-media platforms. The video-clip has been allegedly leaked by some miscreant believed to have accompanied a group of media persons from government-run Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar.

The viral video-clip, as per GNS, caught the netizens in frenzy and mostly took potshots at Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam over the matter. Many of the netizens, in knowhow of the things, somehow justified the recording of video-clip, saying it was part of the practice to pre-record both the versions, one affirming and another negating the sighting of the moon. The video-clip however created much confusion as the ‘miscreant’ had only posted the negating version of the statement.

When contacted over the issue, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam told GNS that the recording of the video-clips’ is part of the practice to avoid last minute rush, at the time when the announcement is usually made.

“I was approached by some media persons of DoorDarshan Kendra Srinagar to pre-record the video-clips”, Islam said adding they Door Darshan people can’t make it to me at the time of actual announcement, due to their busy schedule.

“While the recording was going on in presence of over ten people, some miscreant has recorded one version of my statement and posted it on social-media platforms in an attempt to create confusion", Islam said.

“If at all the video-clip in circulation makes it to the social media, I ask the people not to consider it until there is any announcement from any credible media organization”, Islam said.

The Grand Mufti, in the meantime said that he has referred the matter to law-enforcement agencies for action against the ‘miscreant’, making an attempt to breach law and order situation.

“We are checking through CCTVs who this mischievous person is”, he said adding “A letter has been sent to Cyber Crime and the matter also referred to the Crime Branch and the Director General of Police also informed about it to register an FIR and take stern action the person who has done this mischief.”

“The miscreant has no understanding how bad repercussions such a thing is cast in the public sphere”, Islam said. (GNS)

SINAGAR: To alleviate the widespread confusion among the people over the upcoming important events of ongoing holy month of Ramadan, scholars of different schools of thought have reached a consensus over several issues including that of Shab-e-Qadar and unequivocally decided to observe the night on April 17, 2023.

Talking to media persons, after due consultation and deliberation on the issues impending for the last several days, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, as per GNS, said that they have reached a consensus to observe the Shab-e-Qadr on April 17. “Efforts for moon sighting will also be made on April 20 and if at all the moon is sighted, people starting their first fast from Friday (March 24, 2023) will have to make the omitted fasting after Eid”, Islam said.

“Any decision regarding Eid will be made after thorough consultation with all scholars from different schools of thought”, he said adding, “MeT department will also be consulted before any such announcement.”

Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam thanked Chief Rector Dar-ul-Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora for supervising the meeting. 

Islam also said that a joint resolution was passed to seek release of Mirwaiz Kashmir Moulvi Umer Farooq, Maulana Abdur Rashid Dawoodi and other scholars currently under detention. 

Many speakers before the final announcement by Islam, suggested framing a Ruet exclusive to Jammu and Kashmir – a suggestion welcomed by many attendants to the meeting.

The hours-long consultation was attended by Moulana Rahmatullah Qasmi, Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi, Ghulam Rasool Hami and Prof Muhammad Tayib Kamili, Moulana Aga Syed Al Hassan Mousivi, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, Moulana Fayaz Ahmed Rizivi, Masroor Abbas Ansari and other prominent scholars.

Notably, there was a widespread confusion among the people over the sighting of moon in Jammu and Kashmir even as Grand Mufti, J&K, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, entrusted with the mandate announced that there was no ‘credible witness’ available with his office regarding sighting of moon from anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir albeit having earlier in the evening on March 23, 2023 received a ‘uncredible testimony from Poonch which after scrutiny turned too feeble to indicate start of fast on Thursday.’ (GNS)