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Thousands Celebrate Eid-ul-Adha Across Jammu and Kashmir Amid Restrictions at Jamia Masjid

Jamia Masjid
Photo: The Kashmiriyat

Thousands of Muslims across Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Eid-ul-Adha with traditional devotion on Sunday, gathering at mosques, shrines, and Eidgahs across the region for the special congregational prayers marking the festival.

The largest congregation in the Kashmir Valley was held at the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, where prominent religious and political leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, joined worshippers. Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, symbolized today by the ritual animal sacrifice.

However, the day was marked by controversy in Srinagar, where Eid prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid were barred for the seventh consecutive year. The mosque remained closed, and the Valley’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained at his residence, preventing him from delivering the customary Eid sermon.

In a message on X, Mirwaiz condemned the continued restrictions, saying, “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!”

Despite these restrictions, Eid prayers were conducted without incident at other major locations in both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu, with security measures in place.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha extended his greetings, urging unity and compassion, stating, “Let’s reiterate our resolve to strengthen the foundations of unity, harmony, and brotherhood, and work with love and compassion for the well-being of all.”

Following the prayers, families began the traditional animal sacrifices — including goats, sheep, and camels — continuing the festival’s spirit of charity and community as they host feasts and distribute meat to neighbours and those in need over the coming days.

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