The Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has announced that Eid prayers will not be held at the historic Eidgah in Srinagar this year due to ongoing construction work.
Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader Dr. Syed Darakhshan Andrabi said that arrangements have instead been made at Hazratbal Shrine and other mosques across Jammu and Kashmir, calling Hazratbal the site for the biggest congregation. “All arrangements have been completed by the Waqf Board in coordination with line departments,” she stated.
The Eidgah in Srinagar, traditionally a major venue for Eid gatherings, has faced disruptions in recent years due to security concerns and adverse weather conditions. Andrabi had earlier chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr, Juma-tul-Vida, and Lailat-ul-Qadr, focusing on ensuring proper arrangements at shrines and mosques during these religious occasions.
Meanwhile, the Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has contradicted this, stating that the Eid-ul-Fitr congregational prayers will take place at the Eidgah at 10 AM, with the Eid sermon by Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq at 9 AM.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf has urged authorities to ensure that no restrictions or disruptions take place at the Eidgah, recalling past curbs on Shab-e-Qadr and Jumat-ul-Vida that had caused public resentment. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq personally visited the Eidgah to inspect preparations and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
The Anjuman has advised worshippers to bring their own prayer mats and announced that in case of bad weather, prayers will be shifted to Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
