Srinagar, March 13: Thousands of devotees gathered at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar on Friday to offer special congregational prayers on the occasion of Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, officials and witnesses said.

The revered shrine, located on the banks of Dal Lake, witnessed large crowds of worshippers who assembled early in the morning to participate in the prayers, considered spiritually significant for Muslims during the fasting month.

Authorities had made arrangements in and around the shrine to manage the large influx of devotees, while security personnel were deployed to regulate the movement of worshippers.

Jumat-ul-Vida marks the final Friday of Ramadan and traditionally draws large congregations at major mosques and shrines across Kashmir.

However, congregational prayers for the occasion were not allowed at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area, one of the region’s largest and most prominent mosques.

Officials did not immediately elaborate on the reasons for the restrictions at the historic mosque.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq criticized the decision, calling it unfortunate that prayers were disallowed at the Jamia Masjid on the important religious occasion.

“Disallowing Jumat-ul-Vida prayers at Jamia Masjid is deeply disappointing and condemnable,” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.  [KNT]