Shab-e-Meraj today: Admin makes arrangements, Traffic Police issues route plan
Srinagar, Feb 17: Thousands of devotees are expected to throng religious places across Kashmir on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj on Saturday.
Shab-e-Meraj is celebrated as the holy night when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to the highest levels of the heavens.
The religious event is observed across J&K with traditional religious devotion and fervour and people spend the whole night in special congregational prayers across major religious places in Kashmir.
The biggest congregation is expected at Dargah Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar where thousands are expected to participate in the night long prayers.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Imam Khateeb Dargah Hazratbal shrine Kamaal Farooqi said that thousands of devotees would spend the entire Saturday night in congregational prayers and other religious activities.
“The religious activities will start right after Maghrib prayers, followed by Natt and Dorood Khawani. Later at 10 pm, Esha prayers will be offered followed by the religious sermon. It is a holy night that highlights the holy life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his importance to our religion. It is the best night to refresh the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and follow it in letter and spirit,” Farooqi said.
He said that the Khatamat-o-Moazamat and Dorood Khawani would go on until Fajar prayers on Sunday.
Farooqi said that the holy relic would be displayed following all five prayers during the day.
Islamic and socio-cultural organisations also traditionally arrange special prayers and Mehfil-e-Naat in Masjids and other places to collectively seek the blessings of the Almighty Allah.
The nightlong prayers would be held in various Masjids and shrines across J&K where religious scholars would deliver sermons highlighting teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Special nightlong prayers would be held at shrines in Srinagar including Asar-e-Sharif Janab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora, Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahab, Khanqah-e-Maula, and other shrines.
Officials said that the district administration had put special arrangements in place for the Shab-e-Meraj.
They said that the Power Development Department (PDD), Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Department of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), and Transport Department officials had been directed to ensure smooth celebrations during the night.
Meanwhile, Traffic Police Srinagar put in a detailed traffic plan ahead of the Shab-e-Meraj event.
A senior official from Traffic Police said that the transporters and local commuters would follow the advisory strictly to ensure smooth traffic movement.
“A large number of devotees are expected to assemble at Asari Sharief Hazratbal for the celebrations of Mehraj-ul-Aalam on Saturday night and Friday following on February 24. Traffic Police has made elaborate traffic arrangements for smooth flow of traffic coming from different districts of Kashmir carrying devotees to Hazratbal shrine,” the advisory reads.
For the vehicle moving from Rainawari, Khanyar towards Hazratbal shrine, the parking facility has been kept at NIT Parking while for the VIP Parking facility has been kept at Traffic Camp at Hazratbal, which has been specially earmarked for official vehicles.GK
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