Srinagar,28- Apr: Shab-e-Qadr (Night of Power) is being observed with religious fervour across the Valley on Friday night.Devotees will remain engaged in nightlong prayers till Friday morning across the shrines and mosques of the Valley. As per past practice, the largest gatherings were scheduled to be held at the Jamia Masjid in the old city and the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake. However, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid said on Wednesday that Authorities have decided not to allow Jumat-ul-Vida as well as Shab-e-Qadr prayers at historic Jamia Masjid here.Besides ‘traweeh’ prayers, devotees will remain engrossed in supplications and recitals of the holy Quran. Religious heads will also throw light on the significance of the holy night. All the major shrines of the Valley have been well-illuminated and wear a festive look on Friday night in view of the large attendance of devotees.Shab-e-Qadr is considered to be the holiest night of the fasting month of Ramazan. Shab-e-Qadr is also called Laylat-ul-Qadr and according to Muslim traditions, it usually falls on the 27th night of Ramazan. However, scholars say that it can also fall on any odd night of the last 10 days of the fasting month.Keeping in view the sanctity of the night, many Muslims engage in nightlong prayers during all odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramazan. However, the night is at large observed on the 27th night of Ramazan.The day after Shab-e-Qadr, people usually start making preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr that falls after the fasting month. Shopping for the festive occasion also peaks after Shab-e-Qadr.(CNS)
