Eid-e-Milad today

Srinagar, Sep 16: Thousands of devotees gathered across the Masjids and shrines of Kashmir to observe the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) on Monday night.Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) is being celebrated on Tuesday but the special religious gatherings started across Kashmir after the sundown on Monday.The day is celebrated on the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awal, which marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).The largest gathering of devotees was witnessed at the Dargah Hazratbal on the banks of Dal Lake, where devotees held night-long prayers.The officials said that the main congregation would be held at Dargah Hazratbal, where thousands of devotees are expected to assemble to have a glimpse of the Holy Relic throughout the day on Tuesday.Every year devotees across various districts visit Hazratbal and other shrines in Srinagar to mark the day.Devotees from all age groups, spend the night at Hazratbal for night-long prayers with the families.“I wait for this day throughout the year so that I can ask for forgiveness and pray for the wellbeing of my family. We will stay here overnight, and on the next day, we will have a glimpse of the Holy Relic after every prayer. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the central figure of Islam, and his teachings are the guiding light for the entire mankind till the end of the times,” Zahoor Ahmad, a devotee from central Kashmir’s Budgam district, said.Officials said that all departments including J&K Police, Power Development Department, Road Transport Corporation, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), and the Health Department, have made requisite arrangements for the event.An official from SMC said, “Special sanitation drives were conducted across all religious places. We had also put all the men and machinery in place to ensure devotees do not face any issues.”Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said that they had issued an advisory for all the devotees to ensure smooth traffic movement.