SRINAGAR: Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid stated on Wednesday that authorities have disallowed Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah Srinagar.

In a statement, Anjuman announced that Eid prayers would be held at Eidgah at 9 am. However, the authorities have disallowed the same.

“Barring prayers at Eidgah is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. The decision has hurt the sentiments of Muslims in the Valley,” it said.

SRINAGAR: For the first time in the recent past, there is no hustle and bustle at the Eidgah ground here where a huge rush of people was usually being witnessed ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha, to buy the sacrificial animals.

Unlike the past, one of the prominent places to purchase animals on Eid—Eidgah is giving a deserted look.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), nearly ten days ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha, the Bakerwals and the mutton dealers have not made their presence so far at Eidgah ground to sell the sacrificial animals.

Ashiq Ahmad, one of the locals, said that the sacrificial animals are not being sold the way it was. “The major markets for the sacrificial animals are no longer abuzz with trade. I am planning to buy sacrificial animals for Eid, but the markets in this regard have not been set up so far,” he said.

General Secretary of Mutton Dealers Association, Mehraj ud Din, when contacted that the adequate livestock is available at present, but the fact is that the mandis and markets in this regard are being set up in the last 6-7 days here.

“Almost 80 per cent of the people prefer to buy sacrificial animals in the last week and thus the markets in this regard are being set up in the last week,” he said.

He further added that the markets and Mandis in this regard are being chosen by the government itself while the place has not been selected so far. “We are expecting that the place in this regard would be selected in the coming days following which the markets will once again witness the rush of shoppers,” General Secretary of Mutton Dealers Association, said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Eid prayers at historic Eidgah here are unlikely to be allowed as security establishment has expressed apprehensions about “fomenting of trouble by vested interest to vitiate the peace” in the Kashmir Valley.

A senior police officer on condition of anonymity told GNS that even though no decision has been taken about holding and otherwise of the Eid prayers, “it was mostly unlike as trouble mongers may use the occasion to foment trouble and vitiate the prevailing peace.”   

“Security clearance for such an occasion is must and police establishment is of the belief that it should not be allowed,” the officer said, adding, “the decision lies with the government.”  

Earlier this week,  the Chairperson of Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Board had indicated at holding congregational Eid prayers at historic Eidgah after 2019.

Talking to media persons at Waqf Office Srinagar on the sidelines of a meeting, Waqf Chairperson, Dr. Darakshan Andrabi had said that “if weather permitted”, Eid prayers will be held at Eidgah. “The (Waqf) Board will initiate necessary cleanliness drive and arrangements for the smooth conduct of congregational prayers at the historic venue," Andrabi had said.(GNS)