Kashmir witnesses peaceful Eid-ul-Adha celebrations amid heightened security

Srinagar, May 29: Kashmir witnessed a largely peaceful and festive atmosphere from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon as people celebrated Eid-ul-Adha with religious fervour and authorities simultaneously intensified security preparations across the region.
Eid-ul-Adha, one of the two most significant festivals in Islam, was observed across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, May 27, following local moon sighting in Kashmir a day ahead of several other parts of the country.

Tens of thousands of devotees gathered at Masjids, Eidgahs, and shrines across Kashmir to offer special Eid prayers amid pleasant weather conditions.
Major congregations were witnessed at Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake, Eidgah Srinagar, and prominent Eidgahs and Jamia Masjids in districts including Budgam, Anantnag, Baramulla, Shopian, Pulwama, Kupwara, and Bandipora.
Worshippers dressed in traditional attire exchanged greetings and offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and communal harmony.
Religious scholars and clerics, while addressing congregations, highlighted the spiritual significance of sacrifice, compassion, charity, and brotherhood associated with Eid-ul-Adha.

They urged people to uphold communal harmony and extend support to the needy and underprivileged sections of society.
The festival passed off peacefully without any major untoward incident reported from any part of the Valley.
Authorities had put in place elaborate yet low-profile security arrangements around major religious sites, marketplaces, and vulnerable locations to ensure smooth celebrations.

Security personnel remained deployed at key intersections and public places, while traffic and crowd management measures were also implemented in Srinagar and other district headquarters.
Markets across Kashmir witnessed brisk business in the days leading up to Eid, particularly in livestock markets where sacrificial animals witnessed high demand despite soaring prices.

Traders reported increased sales of sheep, goats, bakery items, garments, and other festival-related goods.
However, many residents expressed concern over rising prices of sacrificial animals and essential commodities.
Public transport operated normally in most parts of the Valley, and tourist movement also continued uninterrupted during the festive period.
Families visited relatives and friends while children thronged parks and markets, adding to the festive spirit.

Meanwhile, sanitation workers and municipal authorities remained active throughout the festival period to manage waste generated from sacrificial practices.

Local administrations in several districts had issued advisories regarding proper disposal of animal waste and maintaining hygiene around residential localities.
The peaceful conduct of Eid-ul-Adha celebrations has brought a sense of relief to both residents and authorities.

IRFAN RAINA REPORTS FROM GANDERBAL
Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Ganderbal district with thousands of people offering congregational prayers at Masjids and Eidgahs.
The largest gathering was witnessed at the Central Eidgah Duderhama, where people from across the town and adjoining villages assembled to offer prayers.
Similar large congregations were held at Kangan, Gund, Safapora, Lar, and Sonamarg.
Hundreds of devotees gathered at the historic Markazi Eidgah Duderhama to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayers in a spiritually charged atmosphere.
Special prayers were offered for peace, prosperity, brotherhood, and the well-being of humanity.
A large congregation of worshippers offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Markazi Hanfia Jamia Masjid Sharief Gund in Ganderbal.
Imams in their sermons highlighted the significance of sacrifice, compassion, and helping the needy, and prayed for peace and prosperity in J&K.
Following prayers, people exchanged greetings and visited relatives and friends. The traditional sacrifice of animals was performed and meat was distributed among family, neighbours, and the poor.
District administration and Police had made elaborate arrangements on the occasion.

KHALID GUL REPORTS FROM ANANTNAG
Thousands of people offered Eid prayers at the two main Eidgahs in Anantnag district – Hanfia Eidgah, Janglat Mandi, and Ahli Hadith Eidgah, Ashajipora, on Wednesday (May 27).
People from Anantnag town and several adjoining villages reached the Eidgahs early in the morning to participate in the congregational prayers.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amod Ashok Nagpure, accompanied by other police officers, greeted worshippers outside the Eidgahs after the prayers.
Police officials also distributed sweets among the devotees.
Similar Eid congregational prayers were held at Bijbehara Eidgah, Mattan Eidgah, and Kulgam Eidgah, where large gatherings of worshippers participated in the prayers.
Eid prayers were also offered at various Jamia Masjids and shrines across rural areas of Anantnag and Kulgam districts, including Kaba Marg, Khiram, and Syed Simnania in Kulgam.
Authorities had made necessary arrangements at major prayer venues to facilitate the smooth conduct of the congregations.
The prayers concluded peacefully, with people later exchanging Eid greetings and visiting relatives and friends.

TARIQUE RAHEEM REPORTS FROM KUPWARA
Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated across Kupwara district with great religious enthusiasm and devotion.
Special Eid prayers were offered at various Eidgahs and Masjids across the district, witnessing a large turnout of worshippers.
The largest congregations were held at Jamia Masjids in main town Kupwara, Dudhwan, Lalpora, Sogam, Jamia Jadeed Handwara, Zachaldara Vilgam, Kralgund, and other places where thousands of devotees offered Eid prayers.
On the occasion Member of Parliament Chowdry Muhammad Ramzan offered Eid prayers at Jamia Jadeed Handwara while MLA Mir Fayaz offered Eid prayers at Jamia Masjid in Kupwara.
After the prayers, people embraced each other and exchanged Eid greetings, while special prayers were offered for peace, prosperity, and well-being of people in Jammu and Kashmir and the Muslim Ummah.
The occasion also witnessed enthusiasm among children, youth, and elders, as people made arrangements for the traditional sacrifice in accordance with the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha.

ALTAF BABA REPORTS FROM BARAMULLA
Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm across Baramulla district with thousands of devotees gathering at various Eidgahs to offer special prayers.
The largest congregations were witnessed at Eidgah Jadeed and Eidgah Qadeem, where people from different parts of the area assembled in large numbers to mark the occasion.
The atmosphere was marked by devotion, brotherhood, and prayers for peace and prosperity.
At Eidgah Jadeed, the Eid prayers were led by Mufti Raheem, while at Eidgah Qadeem, the prayers were led by Moulana Tariq Ahmad Nappa.
During their sermons, the religious scholars highlighted the significance of Eid-ul-Adha and the spirit of sacrifice associated with the festival.
They said the occasion teaches the values of obedience, compassion, patience, and selflessness, while urging people to extend help to the poor and needy.
They also expressed concern over the growing menace of drug addiction among the youth.
They appealed to youngsters to stay away from substance abuse and other harmful practices, and instead contribute positively towards society.
Meanwhile, the district administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of prayers and movement of devotees at major congregational venues across Baramulla district.