Srinagar 27 August (KNB): Devotees visiting Hazratbal Shrine (Dargah) on Friday afternoon expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration’s closing of the Shrine, which prevents them from offering Friday congregational prayers.
The devotees, both male and female, outside the Hazratbal Shrine raised their voice against keeping the shrine closed and said that they come from far off areas in hope of offering Friday prayers.
“Administration should apprise us via radio or social media that there would not be Friday prayers at Hazratbal Shrine or other religious places so that we can calibrate our plans accordingly. Here the devotees come from places which are 20 – 30 Kms away. Despite coming from Kupwara, Budgam, Sopore and other far off areas we are not able to offer Friday prayers due to the shrine’s closure,” said one of the devotees.
“Whatever the situation is, the devotees should be allowed to pray here (Dargah) as it is equal to pilgrimage for us,” said another devotee from Ganderbal.
However, after the devotees, waiting outside the Dargah, heard that no prayers would be allowed on Friday at Hazratbal, they all got their dander up and started sloganeering against the administration for keeping the shrine closed, as per KNB reporter.
Another female devotee also alleged that for another religious community the Hazratbal gates are kept open from 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Jamia Masjid was also kept closed for the Friday prayers where the congregational prayers did not take place. (KNB)